Chapter 4

"Minerva" Snape said calmly whilst raising both hands and making no attempt to pull out his wand.

McGonagall looked from him to Harry and Hermione in utter confusion. Her lips were tighter than ever and she like everyone else didn't know what to do with the situation.

Finally Molly Weasley spoke up. "Someone get an auror and arrest him!" she screeched with her wand still pointed at Snape. "Yea what are we all just standing here for?" George said, looking at Snape with utter hatred.

Harry stepped in front of Snape and held his wand up.

"No, he isn't going to get arrested. He was on our side all along and is an innocent man" Harry said and everyone's face apart from Hermione's turned to utter shock.

"Harry dear" Molly said gently.

"I know what you are going to say, and I promise everything will be explained in time, but for now can you trust my word that Snape was on our side all along" Harry said and everyone looked at each other worriedly.

Harry could guess what was going through their minds. They were all so sure that Snape was on Voldermort's side, he had killed their beloved hero Dumbledore and spent every moment after Dumbledore's death working for the dark side as Voldemort's right hand man. But then their hero an saviour, their constant ray of hope against the dark side, and the one who had finally vanquished him was sticking up for Snape and telling them that he was good and asking them to trust in Harry.

Harry could almost see their acceptance the moment it came into their eyes.

"OK Harr. I trust you and if that's all you are asking for now I don't see how I can say no". Mr Weasley said, putting away his wand. The rest followed suit apart from McGonagall. Harry stood in front of her and it took a long moment for her eyes to leave Snape's and look at Harry.

"Please professor" Harry said putting a hand on her shoulder.

"It's not a question of trusting you Mr Potter, of course I trust you it's just…"

"But it is a question of trusting me for now. That's all I am asking". Harry interrupted her. She nodded weakly and lowered her wand.

"Harry we need to urgently speak with you" Kingsley said and Harry nodded. He looked back at Snape. "We can finish our conversation later."

Snape was the first to leave the room, everyone watched him go but no one made a move to top him.

Mrs Weasley grabbed Harry in a crushing bear hug and Ginny grabbed his hand. For a moment Harry was confused because he didn't feel the warmth he expected to feel from Ginny's touch and Mrs Weasley's hug.

All of the Weasley's were asked to leave apart from Ron.

Harry could see the hurt on Ginny's face as he didn't fight for her to stay. But honestly he had no fight left in him. He wanted to get this over and done with.

McGonagall conjured up a few more chairs and everyone who remained took a seat. Harry noticed that Ron and Hermione weren't sitting next to each and although Hermione was clearly trying to catch his eye, Ron was clearly not looking at her or Harry.

"We need to talk to the press and announce to the entire wizarding world what happened here. Many people do not know exactly what happened, although the news that Voldermort is gone has quickly spread." Kingsley said.

"I am happy to leave it up to you to fill out the blanks, because we can't tell you everything about the whole story." Harry said and Hermione nodded. Ron scoffed.

"What do you mean you can't tell us everything?" McGonagall said rather offended.

"If we told you the whole story and even if you kept some aspects of it secret, which I know you will, the more people that know the more dangerous it is." Harry explained.

"I still don't understand. You can trust us" Kingsley said.

"Don't you see? Harry wants to remain the most important one. If he told you everything, there is a risk he will become less important." Ron said bitterly.

"Ron!" Hermione whispered shocked.

"No, I just don't want to reveal certain information in case it brings about the rise of another dark lord. The information that caused all this took place during a private conversation remember, only it didn't stay private did it? There are always ways to have that information leaked. I would have thought you of all people would understand that Ron." Harry said disappointedly.

He thought that after everything they had been through Ron would have changed. But it was clear that he hadn't changed.

"I think I understand Mr Potter. Even Dumbledore didn't tell us everything and it was always for good reason". McGonagall said.

"Very well then what can you tell us? And we will work out what to tell the press. You three will probably have to make a statement to them, but we can spearhead most of the heat." Kingsley said.

"Oh of course, whatever the chosen one wants" Ron said bitterly.

"Ron!" Hermione said loudly.

"What's your problem" Harry said.

"My problem is this is still all about you isn't it. It always has been. Whatever the chosen one wants he gets. You made this decision without even checking with me about how I felt about it. You and Hermione have been here cozying up with Snape of all people while everyone has been worried about you. Oh poor Harry he has been through so much, where is Harry, do you think Harry is ok. That's all I have heard all day. No one is saying poor Ron." Ron spat.

"So that's it, you are jealous? After everything we have been through you still have that childish attitude." Harry spat back.

"Ron, we didn't come and get you because we knew you were having a tough time right know because of Fred" Hermione whispered.

"Stop making excuses Hermione" Ron said coldly.

It was at this moment Harry and Hermione's relationship changed with Ron for good. They thought that after everything they had been through together they had an unbreakable bond, but it seemed they didn't. Both Harry and Hermione had forgiven Ron for leaving them, made excuses for him and truly believed he had begun to change, but it was clear to them now that he hadn't.

Hermione thought she was in love with Ron. She had kissed him during the battle and thought that they would be together now, but she just couldn't look past things anymore. It was truly heart breaking to realise this now, but she had to stop deluding herself into believing Ron could change into the person she needed. Hermione shed a tear, but Ron didn't notice as he was too busy snarling at Harry to notice.

Harry stood up and began to pace. On one hand he knew that telling more people about what had truly transpired was a huge risk for so many reasons, but on the other hand, Ron wasn't reliable enough to keep the secret anyway.

Harry sat back down.

"OK, we will tell you everything and then you can decide what to tell the press. However, we can edit the story to make it seem like Ron was the one who made it all possible" he said. Ron smiled at this as he was finally going to get what he wanted.

"But…" Hermione began.

"Hermione, if we spin things this way we might be able to ide enough of the things that are dangerous for people to know." Harry said.

"You mean distract people from delving too deep?" Kingsley said whilst giving Ron a disappointed look. Harry nodded and McGonagall who was very tight lipped wouldn't even look at Ron.

It took a few hours, but eventually Harry and Hermione told Kingsley and McGonagall the truth and Harry filled them all in on everything only he knew including why Snape was innocent. Silently Harry and Hermione agreed to keep their conversation with Snape to themselves.

"So all that's left now is what to tell the press?" Kingsley stated tiredly.

"Whilst saying its all thanks to me". Ron reminded him.

Everyone turned to look at him in disgust, but he didn't seem to care. He only crossed his arms and looked smugly back at them.

Later that evening after a lengthy press conference and many conversations with people spreading the story they came up with the battlers sat in the great hall eating dinner and talking quietly amongst themselves. Harry and Hermione sat with Luna and Neville who were holding hands. Hermione kept shooting revolting glances at Ron who was surrounded by admirers and seemed to be lapping up the attention. The rest of the Weasley's looked proudly at Ron except George, who sat with his head in his hands staring at his full plate.

Suddenly owl's came pouring in through a hole in the ceiling. One of them landed next to Neville and had an evening daily prophet in its beak. Neville paid the owl and smoothed out the newspaper. On the front page was a large picture of Ron with Harry and Hermione shunted so far out of the frame that you could only see a clip of Hermione's bushy hair and Harrys elbow.

The heading on the front of the paper read. Ronald Billius Weasley, saviour of the wizarding world.

Harry and Hermione sat quietly as Neville read the first few paragraphs of the article.

"Ron Weasley, a boy like no other lead the wizarding world to victory when he single handily brought about the defeat of the dark lord. Whilst the rest of us, his two best friends included, ran around and didn't know what to do to defeat you know who. Ronald Weasley stood up to the dark side and was victorious. Whilst many witnessed Harry Potter battle the dark lord in the end, this was all possible because of Ron. Ron kept his friends safely hidden whilst going on dangerous missions alone to cut off you know whose power. Ronald defeated many of the dark lord's death eaters whilst training his friends for the battle of Hogwarts. Mr Potter we can reveal admitted that without Ron's training he would never have been able to give the final blow. Whilst Mr Potter did play a small part, it was Ronald who led our side to victory. Many people have compared Ron to Dumbledore and even Merlin himself, and all agree that he has done more for our world than any other wizard has ever before. Whilst us lesser wizards were cowering away, Mr Weasley organised the rally to fight the dark lord and when Harry Potter fled for his life, Mr Weasley confronted the Dark Lord and weakened him enough for Mr Potter to deal the final death blow. Mr Potter admitted that the plan was for him to distract the dark lord so that Mr Weasley could finish him off, but Mr Potter could see that Mr Weasley had already severely weakened the dark lord and so dealt the last blow. Many here at the daily prophet believe that Mr Potter was trying to take away the limelight from his heroic friend. However, ever the gracious man Mr Weasley didn't blame Mr Potter for this and instead said that he was just happy it was finally over. It is clear to the remainder of the wizarding world that Ron is a hero the likes we have never seen before. We all owe Mr Weasley our gratitude and our lives and this writer is sure that Mr Weasley's future will be a very bright one." Neville finished and couldn't continue reading. He was staring at the article open mouthed.

"Is this part of some plan to throw the escaped death eaters off so you can capture them Harry?" Luna asked airily.

"What no" Harry said nervously.

"Then the daily prophet are just lying again" she said nonchalantly.

"No this is.. this is what happened" Harry stuttered.

Neville shook his head. "Please don't lie to us mate. We know this is a load of rubbish"

"Of course it is" Hermione hissed.

"Hermione!" Harry warned.

"No Harry I won't have it. Ron has always been jealous of you and I thought I understood why, but this is one step too far."

"Hermione we agreed." Harry sighed.

"I know, and I will stick to the story and let that git get away with it, but I am not going to lie to Neville and Luna, we can trust them Harry" Hermione finished on the verge of tears.

Harry looked at Neville and Luna and knew that she was right. He didn't like telling more people the real truth, but he knew Neville and Luna wouldn't believe the Daily Prophet and they deserved the truth.

Harry looked back down the table and saw that people were now clustering around Ron asking him to sign their Daily Prophets. He wondered if Ron was truly happy. He didn't feel an ounce of jealousy towards him, only disappointment. He was happy to give Ron all of the glory, he didn't feel very victorious or happy and the last thing he needed was a crowd of people suffocating him for an autograph.

Harry looked back at Neville and Luna. He knew he could trust them with his life and he knew they were not fame hungry like Ron. It was a risk to tell them, but he did owe them.

"OK, we will tell you the truth but not here" he said getting up from the table. The other three followed him as he led the way to Dumbledore's office.