Chapter 22. Azkaban

POV Ron

How long have I been here?

He had kept track of his days for the first week, but as time dragged on and he was moved to an inner cell that lacked windows, he had become disoriented. All he was able to do now was keep track of the time of day based on the meals he received, if he got a meal, there were many days the guards "forgot".

Why am I even here? I didn't do anything wrong. I just wanted her to understand, to see her mistakes! We are meant to be together! She wanted me, I know it, I could feel it when I touched her! Gods she was so wet, if she hadn't attacked me everything would have been just fine! Dumb fucking bitch doesn't understand she belongs with me! If she would have just let me fuck her this could have been avoided!!! She did this! When I get out I'll take what's mine and punish her for trying to tear us apart!

"Weasley! You have a visitor!" The guard shouted tearing him out of his train of thought.

Maybe it's her coming to beg forgiveness!

He hopped up from his bed to stand in the back corner, furthest away from the door as he had been told to do previously when his lawyer had come to visit.

She will have to get on her pretty little knees and prove how sorry she is, then maybe I'll take her back!

"Ron?"

"Harry? Is that you? Blimey are you here to get me out?" he rushed towards his friend and enveloped him in a hug.

"No contact!" the guard shouted, "I won't hesitate to end the visit."

"Sorry." He mumbled and sat down at one end of his bed, Harry taking a seat at the other.

He ran his hands through his greasy hair, nervously hoping Harry had good news.

"Your trial is this Friday. Your lawyer thought it would feel better coming from me."

He hung his head disappointed, "I thought you were here to get me out."

"The…the injuries Hermione suffered, were too great for them to let you be home pending trial." He avoided eye contact with him, confusing Ron. Harry had been supportive up until this point and now he could hardly look at him.

Does he believe her? Is he fucking her now too?!

"You don't believe all this, do you?"

Harry's face snapped up to look at him, "Of course not! It's just… well… Rita Skeeter did an article… and she interviewed a bunch of us and I defended you as I said I would, but Hermione's injuries were worse than I understood them to be, and now I'm just confused."

"What is there to be confused about Harry? The bloody fucking snakes lied about what happened so they wouldn't be brought here to rot like I have!"

"You're not going to rot here Ron. The trial is tomorrow and once they find you innocent, you can come home. Don't lose hope, we're all going to be there for you, I promise."

He nodded his head. "You're a great friend Harry."

"Rita Skeeter wrote an article huh? She hates Hermione, must have been good for me yeah?"

"Actually." He said, Ron snapping his eyes over to meet Harry's, "She tore us apart."

"Why would Rita—Malfoy. His father probably paid the bitch off! Dammit! I'm never getting out of here!"

"Yes you will! Your lawyer will be here in a day or so to collect your memories and once they see those, everything will be okay."

He froze, "My memories? Why do they need my memories, they have hers?"

Fuck!

"I mean, Ron, that's how due process works, they need to see the evidence from both sides."

"But what if they tampered with my memories!? I was unconscious for a while! Maybe they Imperio'd me and made me do things to cover their tracks?!"

"The Wizengamot will look for that, they will take everything into consideration, but you have to trust us!"

"Easy for you to say. You're not in here."

"But everything is falling apart out there! Molly won't stop crying, Arthur never comes home from work, Fred and George have cut us off completely! They drew wands on me when I went to talk to Hermione!"

"Fred and George? They were with Hermione?"

"Yes, and Malfoy! They surrounded her like I was going to steal her away! Like I was a threat!"

"Why did you go over there?"

"I just wanted to get her to come to the Burrow so we could talk. I was so sure she was under the influence of something, spell or potion, but she wouldn't hear me out."

A pounding on the door startled them, "Times up!"

"Cooperate with the lawyer Ron. You will be home by the weekend I promise." He watched as the guard led Harry away and out of sight.

Once again alone in his cell, he began to pace frantically.

What the hell am I going to do? ARGH! FUCK! That stupid bitch has turned my brothers against me! Turned everyone against me! It's only a matter of time before Harry turns on me too. He will never believe that I was cursed or that the memories are fake! ARGHH!!! I SHOULD HAVE KILLED THE BITCH WHEN I FUCKING HAD MY BLOODY HANDS AROUND THAT FUCKING NECK! NOW SHES GONNA WIN AND ILL BE STUCK HERE WHILE SHE'S OUT THERE BEING A DEATH EATER WHORE! IF I EVER GET OUT I SWEAR TO MERLIN I WILL—

He slammed his head against wall of his cell, sparks shooting across his vision. He reached up, touching the torn skin and felt the blood on his fingers. An idea poked it's head out from the recesses of his mind. Before he could change his mind, he braced his hands against the wall. Taking a deep breath he connected his skull with the wall again.

Can't take my memories if they're gone. Again.

He began to laugh, blood pouring down his face. He was going to win, he was sure of it.

Again!

His vision was fading, but it wasn't enough. He needed to keep going.

Again!

One final crack against the concrete and he collapsed to the ground.

I win.