AUTHOR'S NOTES: Here is Chapter 34 people! I bet the name intrigued you! To those who are saying that Ron is being influenced by the Entity and Voldemort into making his poor decisions, please read on.
1. Voldemort's soul shard is affecting Ron, for sure. Ron has always had that Weasley temper, and we know from canon that Voldemort's soul shard affected Harry deeply. I mean he was full on Emo for quite a while and he exploded in rage often... Ron's temper is worse than Harry's, and that too is shown in canon. Mixed in with his insecurities and so forth, this all makes Ron much more vulnerable than Harry! The gist of it is that Harry isn't affected as much because he is a 'stronger' person than Ron in canon! My Ron may be a lot more confident, but he is still Ron. The boy who has always been the last pick for pretty much everything in his whole life... And he has even bigger problems in this story than he did in canon! All that added stress makes him extremely vulnerable to Voldemort's own rage...
2. The Entity does not influence Ron! It can hurt him, and scare him shitless, but it does not do anything to alter his personality in any way. And the only powers it gives Ron are the visions and mental protection... Nothing else! Ron makes his own choices, the good and the bad. (With a bit of Voldemort soul shard thrown in)
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, and I do not intend to make any money off of this. Harry Potter is the intellectual property of J. K. Rowling , and I take no credit of it whatsoever.
I was also inspired by Demon Eyes Laharl's: THE RED KNIGHT! and also from Random-Fruitcake04's: CHOICES! I hope you check them out as well because they are genuinely very good stories.
Fate
Chapter 34 – The Horror Within
Ronald Weasley's POV
December 15th, 1992 (Before Breakfast)
Ron smirked at his well-groomed reflection, his clean robes, his clean hair-cut, and his cold piercing ocean blue eyes. This is what it felt like to be truly confident, to be powerful. He had beaten Albus Dumbledore, he had beaten Harry Potter, and he had put the entire House of Gryffindor on its back. He had beaten them all…
When he had returned last night, triumphant, he had told all the Slytherins of what had transpired. They had been completely awed by him. His friends had looked at him with absolute pride as they had congratulated him. The Triumvirate had given him genuine applause, and the rest of the house had followed. Even Malfoy had given him a respectful nod, and his trademark smirk. Ron had proven once and for all that he was a true Slytherin, one that could even outsmart Dumbledore! It was in that moment that all of Ron's doubts had died. He no longer clung to the notion that he was meant to be a Gryffindor… He had seen that house's worth, and it was beneath him…
Ron turned his head and cracked his neck, and then he smiled at his mirror self. The reflection of a Champion! Ron exited the bathroom with an easy smile on his lips, and he spotted his two best mates.
"Theo, Blaise" Ron greeted them with a nod each.
"Someone's in a good mood" Theo chuckled. Oh, I am…
"I would be too" Blaise smirked. "If I had pulled off that stunt yesterday. I bet the truth about Potter's plan is already spreading throughout the school."
"Good" Ron smirked. "I'm hungry… let's go and eat."
"Whatever you say, fearless leader" Theo chuckled, but this time Ron didn't blush. Ron simply kept smirking. The three boys left their dorm and travelled to the common room, and they were greeted by random Slytherins whose names they didn't even know.
"Good morning, Ron."
"Weasley."
"Enjoy your Sunday, yeh?"
"Ron, how are you mate?"
Ron nodded and smiled at them all, and then he turned to Theo and Blaise. His two best mates shrugged and grinned. Ron shook his head with a smile, and then they went to their usual spot. It was currently occupied by some first year girls who were gossiping loudly about one 'Ronald Weasley'.
"Hello" Ron greeted them with a smile. They turned to him, and then they all went wide-eyed.
"It's you!" a slightly chubby brunette squealed.
"Everyone's talking about you" a girl in glasses said.
"Are they?" Ron smirked. "I hope they're saying nice things…" Ron missed Theo and Blaise exchanging looks, something was off with Ron. He was acting… peculiar…
"Some are" one of the girls giggled. "But some are saying that you're the Heir of Slytherin!"
"Are they?!" Ron fake gasped, and then he sat down next to a blonde girl. "What else are they saying?"
"That you beat THE Harry Potter without even using your wand!" the chubby brunette squealed. "And that you outwitted the Headmaster as well!" Ron smiled widely.
"Those two things are true" Ron boasted. "But I am not the Heir of Slytherin…"
"You're not?" the blonde girl asked slowly, she sounded disappointed. That irked Ron a little, but he didn't let it get to him.
"Nope" Ron smirked. "But if you find out who it is, you'll tell me right?" The girls all nodded vigorously.
"Ron?" came Daphne's voice. Ron turned to face her, and she was accompanied by the girls. All four of them were looking at him oddly. "Who are they?" Daphne asked Ron.
"I have no clue" Ron smiled, and Daphne blinked at him.
"Ron, come on mate" Theo said slowly. "Let's get some breakfast…" Ron nodded and stood up, and then they all left the common room. As they were walking towards the Great Hall, Blaise spoke up.
"Ron, are you feeling alright?" Blaise asked in an aloof voice.
"I feel great" Ron hummed, he felt better than great! I haven't been this happy since I learned that I could change Fred's fate!
"That's good to see" Pansy giggled.
"Who were those girls, Ron?" Daphne asked again, this time she sounded a bit annoyed.
"I have no idea, Daph" Ron smiled at her, but she didn't smile back. "Just some first years, I think. I asked them if they knew who the Heir was, and they didn't!"
"I don't think you should be talking about the Heir, Ron" Tracey said slowly. "You've become the prime-suspect…" Of course I have… The Slytherin Weasley… Ron felt a jolt of bitterness, but he smothered it down.
"Well, I'm not the Heir" Ron shrugged. "And we need to find out who it is."
"Well, it isn't Potter" Theo chuckled. "After all, he was trying to break into Slytherin to find out who it is!"
"I have a suspicion…" Daphne said softly, and they all turned their attention to her. "What if the Heir isn't in Slytherin? People only suspected Potter because they saw him with Filch's cat… Other than Potter, no one outside of Slytherin is suspected."
"How could the Heir of Slytherin not be in Slytherin?" Millie asked. "Isn't it a prerequisite?"
"I think the Heir is a first year, or a second year" Blaise added suddenly.
"Why a first or a second year?" Ron asked.
"The attacks started this year…" Blaise explained. "If the Heir was older, there would have been attacks in the previous years."
"What if they hadn't found the Chamber yet?" Pansy argued.
"She's right…" Theo agreed. "Tom Riddle Jnr didn't start the attacks until his fifth year, or something…"
"The writing on the wall" Blaise said, and they all blinked at him. "It was barely off of the ground… Any student above second year would have had to crouch to write in that spot…" He's right! The writing was only a foot or so high…
"Ugh…" Tracey groaned. "These are all just speculations! We're just guessing in circles… The Heir hasn't attacked in a month!"
"Maybe they got scared?" Daphne provided.
"They wrote a message in blood" Ron frowned. "I doubt they'd just run scared… I think the Heir is waiting…"
"Waiting for what?" Millie asked.
"For people to put their guard down" Ron speculated. "Think about it… People are starting to roam around the castle like they used to! Even the first years are losing their fear…"
"That does make sense…" Theo nodded. "Easier to hunt prey that isn't looking over its shoulder…"
"Did you have to make it sound so creepy?" Tracey asked with a frown.
"The Heir is a creepy person" Theo shrugged. "What kind of normal person uses blood as ink?!"
"I'm with Theo on this" Ron chuckled. "Whoever it is… They're twisted…"
December 15th, 1992 (After Breakfast)
Breakfast had been quite the ordeal… The Slytherins were treating Ron like he was royalty, the Hufflepuffs were looking away from him fearfully, the Ravenclaws were shooting him looks and talking in hushed whispers, and the Gryffindors were glaring murder at him. An entire table was glaring at him with ill intent, and it made Ron sweat a little. The Slytherins may have his back, but they couldn't be with him all the time… Sooner or later, Ron would have to face a few Gryffindors.
Ron's own good mood was completely gone as soon as he spotted a haggard Hermione, she looked like she hadn't slept a day in her life! Despite everything that had happened, Ron still liked her… Somewhere deep down, he still wanted her friendship. Ron realized how selfish that was of him, and he decided to bury those feelings. He had burned those bridges last night… Looking back now would just be pointless!
And then there were Harry and Neville… Harry looked done in, even though he didn't have his bruises anymore. He looked… broken. Like someone had broken his spirit, and Ron knew that he was the culprit! Neville was glaring at Ron with so much hatred that even Theo and Blaise had shuddered. Ron knew that his fight against the Trio wasn't over yet, because Neville still wanted to keep fighting… Ron decided that if it came down to it, he'd indulge Neville. They had started this fight, and Ron wasn't one to back down from a fight! Especially when the people he cared about were involved.
And speaking of people he cared about, his siblings all had different reactions to his actions. The twins were absolutely livid! Ron could tell just by looking at them, their glares sent a shiver up his spine. Percy was still giving him a concerned look, almost as if he couldn't even begin to contemplate on how Ron could have done something like this. Ginny was looking rather panicked for some reason, and Ron wasn't sure why. She wasn't even looking at him, she was just looking scared of something. This set off alarm bells in his head, and he wanted to find out what had put Ginny in such a state! And as for Luna, she was just being Luna… Ron could see her smiling and humming as she ate her breakfast like nothing had happened.
"Mr. Weasley" came Snape icy voice from behind him. "Come with me." I wonder what this is about…
"Yes, Sir" Ron replied politely as he began following Snape out of the Great Hall. His friends gave him reassuring smiles and nods, and Ron braced himself for whatever was coming. As they began walking up, Ron realized that they were heading to Dumbledore's Office.
"Sir, what's going on?" Ron asked.
"Word has reached your family, Mr. Weasley" Snape said in a low voice.
"You mean the Headmaster told them" Ron frowned. Snape stopped immediately and turned on Ron, a dark sneer on his face.
"Actions have consequences, boy…" Snape snarled, and Ron went wide-eyed. "What you did yesterday will never be forgotten… You just proven the very thing that all of them feared, that you are not to be trusted…"
"I'm not the one who betrays his friends…" Ron argued softly.
"No…" Snape said coldly. "You're the one who physically beats his friends…" Ron flinched a bit at that. Snape turned around and continued his march towards Dumbledore's Office. Ron followed after him quietly, even Snape was angry at him? Had he made a mistake…? Ron suddenly felt a bit of uncertainty, but he ignored it. They aren't innocent either…
"Flavored Beans" Snape said to the stone gargoyle, and it moved aside. Snape and Ron then climbed the stairs quietly until Snape knocked on the door.
"Come in" came Dumbledore's voice. Snape opened the door and led Ron inside… Ron's stomach tightened as he saw his mother and father arguing with Dumbledore. Pandora and Xenophilius were sitting down quietly, and Remus and Sirius were pacing the room.
"KID!" Sirius exclaimed when he saw Ron, and every adult looked to Ron. "Tell me they're lying! You couldn't have done something like that! Tell me they're lying to me…" Ron stared at Sirius' concerned face, and he had no words. That seemed to be enough of an answer because Sirius looked horrorstruck.
"RONALD WEASLEY!" Molly shrieked. "COME HERE THIS INSTANT!" I'm so fucking dead…
"Molly…" Arthur said softly.
"NO, ARTHUR!" Molly yelled, and then she turned to Ron with a terrifying look. "COME HERE NOW!" Ron slowly walked up to her, and she suddenly slapped him right across the face. The sound of the slap cracked throughout the office, and Ron nearly fell over.
"MOLLY!" Arthur yelled as he pulled Ron behind him.
"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS?!" Molly shrieked madly, her voice cracking. Ron was dazed, his face hurt and he felt a dreadful sense of shame. His mother had spanked when he was younger, but that was because he had a tendency towards doing a lot stupid things… But this was the first time she had struck him out of sheer anger… That thought made his eyes sting, and he felt like he was a toddler again.
"Molly!" Pandora yelled as she grabbed onto Ron and guided him towards herself. Arthur quickly blocked his wife's path, he knew what her real anger looked like.
"ANSWER ME!" Molly shrieked at him, and all he could do was blink in-order to hide his tears.
"Enough!" Dumbledore's voice boomed.
"Headmaster, I will be in my Office…" Snape said quickly, and then he was gone.
"Molly, sit down" Dumbledore commanded. "I did not bring you here to strike my students…"
"I am his mother!" Molly glared at Dumbledore. "I did not raise him to do what he did! It's that accursed house that's twisting him! I demand that you re-sort him at once, or I will pull him from this school!"
"Molly, love…" Arthur said calmingly. "Please, calm down…" Molly glared at Arthur, but her resolve was starting to crack. She had struck Ron out of sheer rage… She had just struck her own son…
"Ron…" Pandora whispered to him, and he looked at her. His vision was blurring because of his unshed tears. "Ron, tell me what happened?" Pandora whispered.
"They betrayed me…" Ron managed, his voice cracking. "They were going after my friend…" Ron could already feel his right cheek swelling, its painful burn was nothing compared to the shame of being struck by his own mother. Ron knew that he was moments away from crying, and keeping his composure was becoming harder by the second.
"Shhh…" Pandora shushed him lightly. "Everything's okay, Ron…" Ron sniffled, his resolve cracking due to Pandora's soft whispers. She probably hates me too… Why are they all against me?!
"I want him re-sorted" Molly grit out, and Ron had his answer. He was the Slytherin… Panic bubbled inside his stomach, he didn't want to lose his friends! If he got resorted, who'd protect them?! Malfoy will go after Blaise and Theo! And the girls… They never left me… I can't leave them!
"I refuse to be re-sorted" Ron managed to speak up, and all the adults looked at him with different expressions.
"Cub, that won't happen" Remus assured him. "We just want to know what happened, that's all." Ron looked at Remus, and he remembered that Remus was a Werewolf… He's still kind though.
"They went after my friend" Ron said, his voice coming back. "After everything I did for them, they betrayed without a second thought…" Damn traitors… Why aren't they here? Why am I the only one being forced to defend their actions?
"Kid…" Sirius sighed. "Why didn't you tell the Professors? Why did you decide to attack Harry like that?"
"What would the Professors do?" Ron argued, his anger was slowly returning to strengthen him. "They're Gryffindors… They would never be punished…"
"Ron, you don't know that" Xenophilius smiled sadly.
"I do know that" Ron argued. "Everyone knows that!"
"Mind your tone, young man!" Molly warned him.
"OR WHAT?!" Ron yelled, and every adult except Dumbledore jumped a bit. "YOU'LL HIT ME AGAIN!" Ron yelled, tears falling down his face. "ARE YOU THAT DISGUSTED WITH ME?!" Molly blinked at Ron, and Ron grit his teeth. "I remember what you said to me when I first got sorted… You told me that I 'humiliated' you… that I 'disgusted' you with my sorting…" Ron's voice cracked, and Molly went deathly pale. "I'm sorry that I'm never good enough for any of you!" Ron yelled, and then he turned around and bolted.
"KID STOP!" Sirius called after him, but Ron ignored all the adults. His legs were moving on their own as he ran down the stairs and raced through the hallways. He was crying hysterically as he ran, and the only place he could think of was his Sanctuary… He needed to get away from them… He just needed a place to think…
Albus Dumbledore's POV
December 15th, 1992 (Midday)
"You honestly believed that my son was the Heir of Slytherin?" Arthur asked Harry, Hermione, and Neville. Arthur was turning a certain shade of red, and the trio looked down sheepishly. Albus had spent the last two hours calming Ronald's family down, and Molly still hadn't said a word since Ronald had run off. After they had been calmed down, Albus had summoned the Trio to get answers.
"Harry…" Sirius sighed, he looked exhausted. "This is Ron… He helped me save you from the Dursleys…"
"I know…" Harry muttered. "I just…" Harry stopped. The boy looked so tired, and Albus felt for him. Albus felt for all of the children involved, their friendship had been ruined because of this house rivalry nonsense… Albus dearly wished that he could abolish the sorting ceremony, it didn't serve Hogwarts well anymore. All it did was pit the students against one another…
"It was my fault…" Neville spoke up. "I convinced them to suspect Ron…" Why?
"What was your reasoning?" Albus asked softly. Neville told them about his suspicions, and Albus frowned internally.
"And weren't you three sneaking around as well? Just like Ron?" Remus asked softly.
"We're sorry…" Hermione muttered, she looked far too stressed for a thirteen year old.
"My son is not the Heir of Slytherin" Arthur said firmly. "He is a good, kind boy…" No one said anything, but Albus knew what they were thinking. A good, kind boy doesn't beat his fellow schoolmates into bloody pulps… There was a knock on the door.
"Come in" Albus said, and Severus walked into the Office.
"Headmaster, I have searched the entire castle" Severus reported. "I could not find Mr. Weasley…" Albus blinked at Severus.
"Where could he have gone?" Pandora asked, her voice was laced with worry. Albus managed to see an odd glint in Sirius' eyes, as if Sirius had just remembered something.
"Sirius?" Albus asked, and Sirius looked at Albus. "Do you have any to share with us?"
"No…" Sirius said softly. "Nothing at all…" He's lying.
"Very well…" Albus sighed. "Does anyone have any questions for Harry, Hermione, and Neville?"
"I do" Xenophilius piped up. "The 'monster' of the Chamber can only be controlled by the Heir of Slytherin, as the rumors say… Then what made you suspect Ron of having this power? Has he ever displayed the ability to speak in Parseltongue?" Parseltongue?! The Hat… It told me Harry could speak to snakes… Another unanswered question.
"Parseltongue?" Harry asked slowly. "I don't know what that is…"
"The ability to communicate with snakes" Sirius told his godson. There was a glint of panic in Harry's eyes, and Dumbledore caught it. So it's true! How can Harry speak with snakes? Only Tom could do that… There were a thousand thoughts firing through Albus' mind.
"Harry, are you alright?" Remus asked. "You've gone pale…"
"I'm fine" Harry smiled softly. "I'm just really tired…"
"Then I suggest you go and rest" Albus smiled at Harry, he didn't want this getting out. "That is enough questions, go on." Harry and his friends left after Sirius hugged his godson tightly. "I suggest you all go home as well" Albus told the adults.
"I want to see my son" Arthur said softly.
"Arthur… give him time" Albus smiled sadly. He needs time to think for himself. We will only push him further away by pestering him. Ronald will make the right decision, I have faith in him.
"If they thought that Ron is the Heir" Pandora started. "How many others think the same thing?" Albus wasn't sure if he should answer that, but Severus decided that he should.
"The students believe him to be the prime-suspect" Severus said bluntly, and Albus frowned internally.
"What?!" Sirius exclaimed.
"Lower you voice, Black" Severus sneered. "We're all right here…"
"Shut up, Snivellus" Sirius shot back, and Albus frowned outwardly. When will they grow up?
"The whole school suspects my son?" Arthur asked in a low whisper. "Is he being harassed? Is he being bullied?!" Molly's head shot up at that.
"He is not…" Severus answered. "Mr. Weasley is under my protection. And he has loyal friends by his side." All the adults blinked at Severus' words, he almost sounded like he cared. Albus couldn't help but smile at his grim friend, Severus truly did care. Even if he won't admit it…
"Please find him…" Pandora pleaded with Albus. "Tell him that we aren't angry anymore, please…"
"Friends fight" Remus smiled softly. "Tell him that we understand…"
"I will" Albus smiled. After that, they all flooed away one by one. Eventually it was just Severus and Albus in the Office. Severus sat down and rubbed his forehead with his right hand.
"I told you it was a bad idea to tell them so soon…" Severus groaned. "Now the boy is missing…"
"Where could he have gone?" Albus asked, there weren't many places that Albus didn't know of.
"The Chamber, if the rumors are to be believed" Severus said softly. Chamber… Parseltongue… Harry can speak Parseltongue… Tom can speak it too… Things were clicking in Albus' mind, and he did not like what he was beginning to realize. Tom attacked Harry, and now Harry has his ability to speak with snakes? Tom attacked Ronald as well… No… What if… The Hat told me only Harry could speak it, but Ronald was attacked at the end of last year's final term… The Hat couldn't possibly know if Ronald had that power now…
"Albus, are you alright?" Severus asked.
"Yes…" Albus lied with a soft smile. Ronald, where did you run off to?! Why can't I sense him in the castle?!
"Are you still planning to use Legilimency on the boy?" Severus asked.
"Yes" Albus replied, and Severus frowned. "But not today… Ronald needs time to calm down… If I go into his mind while his emotions are still raw, I could cause more harm than good…" Severus nodded slowly. Could Ronald truly be the Heir? Or is he… possessed? I have to find out as soon as possible! His life, and the lives of others, could be in danger…
Ronald Weasley's POV
December 15th, 1992 (Evening)
Ron blocked the Disarming Charms being fired at him by the dummies, he'd spent the entire day practicing Dueling. He was decent enough at dodging, but blocking spells was a bit harder. For one, it sapped your Magical Core to cast Protego. Secondly, when the spell struck the shield, the impact of it could topple you if you didn't brace your footing. Most of the dummies' spell were easy enough to block, but they'd occasionally fire a spell that would make Ron fall on his arse even though he blocked it.
"Nice blocks" came Blaise's voice from behind him, and Ron turned around quickly. When did he…? Blaise must have entered the Sanctuary while Ron had been busy stopping the Disarming Charms. "Not surprising though, considering what you showed us all yesterday" Blaise said in an aloof voice. Yesterday… Ron suddenly felt a lot more tired.
"Yeah…" Ron muttered.
"Who slapped you?" Blaise asked bluntly.
"Excuse me?" Ron asked, his ears burning in shame.
"You have a hand print on your right cheek" Blaise indicated. "Was it Granger? Oh, wait… Was it your sister?"
"My mother…" Ron said softly. He'd spent the entire day thinking about why she had slapped him… Blaise clicked his tongue loudly.
"That's harsh" Blaise sighed. "She do that often?"
"No" Ron immediately answered, his mother never struck him on the face… until today…
"Must've been because of what you did to Potter" Blaise guessed in an indifferent voice.
"Do you…" Ron started but stopped. Do I really want to ask him that? "Do you think I did the wrong thing?"
"What, with Potter?" Blaise cocked an eyebrow, and Ron nodded. "Look Ron…" Blaise sighed.
"Don't lie to me Blaise, tell me the truth…" Ron asked his best friend. Blaise looked at Ron with a tired look, and then he sighed again.
"Yes…" Blaise nodded, and Ron felt winded. "You scared the shite out of everyone, mate… Especially the girls…"
"I did?" Ron asked in a hollow voice.
"Yeah…" Blaise nodded slowly. "You were laughing…" Excuse me?
"What?" Ron asked with a confused look.
"You were laughing…" Blaise repeated. "While you were beating Potter… You looked as happy as I've ever seen you, mate… It was a terrifying thing to watch…" What?! I wasn't laughing… WHAT?! Ron didn't have any recollection of laughing while he attacked Harry.
"I don't remember that…" Ron said softly.
"Well, it's the truth…" Blaise shrugged. "You said that were just going to embarrass Potter, but you lied to us… That wasn't embarrassing someone, you were out to hurt him…" Ron sat down on the sand slowly, was Blaise telling the truth? Of course he was, why would he lie about this? Blaise moved closer and sat down next to Ron, he had a faint smile on his face.
"Look, Ron" Blaise said softly. "I don't know what's going on with you lately, but I'm going to be honest with you. We don't like it… You're acting more and more like Malfoy everyday…" Ron looked up at that. "It's true… You walk around with a constant smirk, you talk to people in that arrogant tone, and you even order us around sometimes without noticing… Everyone else, they don't want to say anything… But I'm not going to lie to you, that's not who I am."
"And you are scaring people" Blaise continued. "The girls will never admit it because they don't want to anger you. When they got scared of you last time, with the whole Parselmouth thing, you were furious… So now they just pretend like they aren't scared when you fly into your rages. And Theo… He still feels the need to please you because we left you last year… He'll excuse all of your bad behavior just to get on your good side, that's what he does."
"This can't be…" Ron muttered. "You all congratulated me… The house has been nothing but supportive of me lately…"
"We congratulated you because we're your friends…" Blaise sighed. "You outsmarting Dumbledore was amazing… The rest of the house genuinely believes that you're the Heir… Why the hell would they want to piss you off?"
"Why are you telling me this? Why now?" Ron asked. "Where are the others?"
"Snape is searching for you, so we're keeping our distance from this place" Blaise shrugged. "I used the Disillusionment Charm to get here. And I'm telling you this because I don't want you turning into another Malfoy. We chose you because of who you are… Not who you're trying to become… Now, I'm not saying that it's all bad. Your new confidence is actually a welcome change, it's just what you've been using it for that's the problem." Ron nodded slowly.
"I scared the girls…" Ron muttered to himself slowly.
"Yes" Blaise nodded. "You scared everyone yesterday. None of us thought that you were capable of doing something like that, Ron. Potter was defenseless, his arms were bound by that snake you summoned. But you just kept hitting him… Over and over…" Blaise shuddered. "You can keep saying that it was because he went after Daphne, but we both know that she didn't ask you to do that… She'd never ask you to do that… You did it because you wanted to…" Ron looked down in front of himself, was his mother in her right to strike him? Why had he lost control like that? They sat together quietly for a minute, and then Blaise stood up.
"Look, Ron" Blaise said firmly, a serious expression on his face. "I can't tell you what kind of person you should be, I don't that have that right. Only you can decide that… I can only tell you that we, your friends, like you for who you are. And we don't want to see you turn into Malfoy." Ron nodded slowly. "Take the night off, and think about what I just said. There's a bed right over there, and Marty can bring you some food. Think about yourself… Think about who you want to be." With that, Blaise turned around and left.
December 16th, 1992 (Crack of Dawn)
Ron sat on the couch, and he was staring right at the Tome of Curses. It was just sitting right there in front of him, but he couldn't bring himself to touch it. His thoughts had been chaotic ever since his talk with Blaise, and Ron had barely slept. Marty had brought him food and cheered him up for a bit, but after Marty had left, Ron had returned to his troubled thoughts. There was just too much to think about…
The first thing on his mind was his own guilt for what he had done to the Trio… He knew for certain now that his actions had been far too extreme. They had poked him in his sleep, and he had burned their house down in retaliation… But more than that, Ron felt sick with himself. He had hurt someone, and he had enjoyed it… That made him sick to his stomach, he truly did deserve to be struck. Everyone in Dumbledore's Office should've clocked him one, it's what he deserved! Ron knew that he had burned his bridges with the Trio, but at least he now knew that he wasn't going to fight them. Not anymore… He'd stay away… But he wouldn't stop their punishment, they deserved that much at the very least…
The second thing on his mind was one of his visions, the one where he was an 'evil' person. Ron thought long and hard about that vision, and he had come to a dark realization. He was already on his way to becoming that 'Ron', the 'Ron' who Pansy feared. The 'Ron' who lied to his friends and was clearly a damn Death-Eater… The more he thought about that vision, the angrier he got at himself. He had utterly forgotten about his true mission, his mission to save Fred! Somewhere down the road, with all of the crazy shite happening around him, he had lost sight of what made him who he was. He was a Weasley, first and foremost, and he loved his family above everything. And he was done letting his family down…
And the last thing on Ron's mind was himself. Ron thought about his own strengths and weaknesses, about his own beliefs and goals. He was an above average wizard, but nothing special. His advanced skills came from his desire to be good enough to save Fred in the future. His two older brothers had taught Ron everything, and at some point he had forgotten that. No more… This brought Ron to another realization about himself, he had a weak character. He wanted to become stronger by any means necessary, and so he had been seduced by the Dark Arts. The Hat was right all along, he was far too weak to resist their allure. He had lied and made up excuses for himself, but at the end of the day, he had wanted to use that Tome… He had wanted to use it the moment it had shown up in his life.
Ron looked at the Tome, and his anger was replaced by a new sense of purpose. He was done with this vile book… Ron stood up and grabbed the Tome up off of the table, and he ran his fingers across its red leather cover. And then, without a moment's hesitation, Ron threw the book into the small fireplace. Ron watched as the pages turned black, and the smell of burning leather engulfed the room. As the Tome burned, Ron felt like he was being reborn from its ashes. He was free of the accursed book, and he'd never look back. He was Ronald Weasley, and his family detested the Dark Arts! His father, his mother, his siblings… they all detested the Dark Arts. It was in their blood. It was in his blood.
Ron walked out of his Sanctuary, his stride confident. Blaise was right about one thing, Ron was a lot more confident now. He had tasted success over and over again, and that had made him strong! Now he would turn his confidence towards his original mission, and nothing would get in his way. He would save Fred, he would save his entire family, he would save his friends, and he would save every poor soul that he could. He wasn't going to fight this upcoming war with the Dark Arts by his side, he would fight it as a Weasley! He would fight alongside his family, and he would make damn sure that they won!
Ron said the disgusting password to the Slytherin common room, his stomach turned as he said 'Mud-Bloods must die'. Not on my watch! Ron walked into the common room, and he instantly saw that it was filled. People were no doubt getting ready to go to breakfast and start their Monday, and they all turned to him as he entered. Some of them were smiling widely at him, while others were looking at him with wariness. Ron looked to his right, and he saw his friends sitting in their usual spots. They were all looking at him, and Ron's gaze met Blaise's. Ron then turned to face all the students of Slytherin.
"I am not the Heir of Slytherin!" Ron said loudly and clearly. Everyone looked at him with odd looks. "And I do not, and will never, agree with what they're trying to do! I don't care about Blood-Supremacy, and I never will! If that pisses you off, stay out of my way! Keep your filth to yourself, and I will not judge you! I am a Weasley, and I'm done trying to change into something that I will never be! And if the Heir is indeed in this room, I challenge you right now! Come at me! I'll kick your arse, and then I'll throw you in front of the Headmaster myself!" The room was dead silent, and you could hear a pin drop.
Ron turned to look at his friends, and they were trying to hide their smiles. Ron met Daphne's gaze, and she gave up on trying to hide her joy. Ron was back! The Ron she had been crushing on for nearly a year! There was a fire burning in his ocean blue eyes, and she knew that he was done being Malfoy's clone. His stubborn Weasley spirit had returned, and it was stronger than ever!
Ron then moved towards his dorm to wash up and get ready, and he could hear his friends trailing after him. The Slytherins all gave him odd looks, and he ignored them. I'm done trying to please them! If they actually support this Heir bastard, then they can fuck off!
December 17th, 1992 (Transfiguration Class)
There was a raging blizzard covering Hogwarts today, and Ron could hear the windows creaking and shaking. Merlin! What the hell is happening out there?! Ron was truly glad that he didn't have Herbology today, and he felt bad for the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff second years because they did…
"Ron, can you help me already?" Daphne pouted, and he grinned at her.
"Say please, and I will" Ron said playfully.
"Please help me before I smack that grin off of your face" Daphne smiled and cocked her head. Touché…
"Okay, this what you…" Ron started but someone started shouting loudly from outside the classroom.
"ATTACK! ATTACK! ANOTHER ATTACK!" someone shouted, and the whole class went into a panic. "NO MORTAL OR GHOST IS SAFE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! ATTAAACK!" Ron looked at his friends, and they had scared looks on their faces. The Heir! Ron quickly got up to follow McGonagall out of the classroom, and everyone flooded out after them. The hallway was filled with panicking and confused students, and Ron grabbed onto Daphne's hand in order to not lose her in the chaos. Ron looked around and he saw Theo and Tracey being pushed into a corner, while Blaise and the other two girls were trying to push their way towards Ron and Daphne.
"SILENCE!" McGonagall shouted and no one listened. Ron could see Peeves floating about, and he was laughing maniacally. He lives for chaos, doesn't he?
"Oh Potter, you rotter, what have you done?" Peeves sang in a mad tone. "You're killing off students, you think it's good fun…" Potter?! Harry's here?!
"Enough, Peeves!" McGonagall shouted, and the poltergeist flew off while laughing maniacally. Ron went on his tiptoes and managed to get a glimpse of a ghost floating in the air. Except the ghost wasn't pearly-white and see through like they usually were, instead it was black and smoky… Isn't that Gryffindor's ghost?
"Ron, what's going on?" Daphne asked, she was trying to catch a glimpse too but she was just a bit short.
"I think the Heir struck again…" Ron told her. "And I think it was a ghost they attacked this time…"
"A ghost?" Daphne gasped. "But they're already dead…"
"IT WAS HIM!" came a shout, and Ron finally noticed that most people were staring at him.
"IT HAD TO BE HIM!"
"HE'S THE HEIR!"
"I SAY IT'S POTTER!"
"WE ALL KNOW IT WAS YOU, WEASLEY!"
"POTTER FOUND THE BODY!" Body?!
"PEEVES SAID IT WAS POTTER!"
"IT HAD TO BE ONE OF THEM!"
"I WAS IN CLASS!" Ron shouted his defense, and then someone pushed him from the back.
"Don't touch him!" Daphne shrieked as Ron started getting pushed around. "LEAVE HIM ALONE!" she screamed as some third year Hufflepuff boy grabbed and pulled on Ron's robes, tearing them up slightly.
"ENOUGH!" McGonagall's voice boomed, and then there was a loud bang! McGonagall had fired some sort of spell into the air to garner everyone's attention. "Mr. Weasley was in my classroom! All of you, return to your classes at once!"
"He used the monster of Slytherin!" some girl shouted, and Ron grit his teeth.
"How?!" Ron shouted in a random direction. "I was in a classroom!" Ron then spotted Professors Flitwick and Sinistra dispersing the crowd.
"Everyone back to classes" Flitwick ordered.
"Children, don't look" Sinistra pleaded. There was a wave of movement as students began walking back into their classrooms, and Ron ignored the dirty looks being shot his way. When the crowd had finally lessened up a bit, Ron managed to see Harry standing near the petrified body of Justin Finch-Fletchley. Harry too looked rugged and out-of-sorts, and Ron figured that Harry got roughed up as well. They wanted to fucking lynch us!
"Professor McGonagall" Harry said. "I swear that I didn't…"
"I'm sorry, Potter" McGonagall said curtly. "But this is out of my hands, come with me…" McGonagall then began walking towards Ron. "Mr. Weasley, I suggest you return to the classroom…"
"Professor, you can't seriously think that Potter did this" Ron protested, and she put up her hand to silence him.
"Not another word, Miss. Greengrass will escort you back" McGonagall said as she looked to Daphne.
"C'mon Ron" Daphne said softly, and Ron shot a look to Harry. The boy-who-lived was shocked to see Ron come to his defense, but neither boy said a word. And just like that, McGonagall led Harry away to Merlin knows where. Ron followed Daphne back into the Transfiguration classroom, and Ron could already hear the excited chatter amongst everyone in the room.
"There you are!" Pansy exclaimed, and then she gasped at the sight of Ron.
"That ugly, am I?" Ron joked, and his bottom lip hurt when he smiled.
"What happened?" Tracey asked as she walked up to them.
"They attacked Ron…" Daphne said darkly. After that, she led Ron back to their previous seats. "Does it hurt?"
"My lip hurts a bit" Ron frowned as he looked at the tear on his right shoulder. Some tosser owes me a new school cloak!
"It's just some scratches" Blaise said coldly. "He'll be fine." The girls frowned at Blaise.
"Maybe I should give you a few…" Millie threatened, and Blaise put his hands up in surrender.
"I guess you were right about the Heir, Ron" Theo said in a whisper. "They waited for everyone to let their guard down. And now they've attacked not one person, but two…"
"Do ghosts count as people?" Pansy questioned.
"Who cares if he's a ghost, he was still attacked" Tracey said quickly.
"What can do that to a ghost?" Daphne asked. "I mean, ghost are well… dead already…"
"I think I have a theory of sorts" Blaise mused. "We had classes today. Every student was in a classroom, so I doubt that the Heir could just up and leave without raising any eyebrows. I mean, they had to set the monster loose didn't they?"
"Potter was there…" Pansy said softly.
"His class was cancelled because of the blizzard" Theo provided. "They had Herbology…"
"Okay…" Ron said slowly, why did Theo even know that? Whatever… "Wait… This lowers our suspect pool. We already suspect that the Heir is either a first year or a second year, right?" Ron's friends nodded slowly. "Well, we know that the Gryffindor second years didn't have a class. Nor the Hufflepuffs… considering Justin…"
"The Heir is in one of those two houses…" Daphne whispered softly.
"What if they skipped their classes?" Millie asked, and Ron frowned to himself.
"Then we need to find out who skipped their class today, and who had free periods" Blaise suggested.
"The Heir has to be one of them…" Ron said, he was getting excited. "We need to get started immediately… Let's start by making a list." We're getting closer, I can feel it!
December 17th, 1992 (Sanctuary – After Dinner)
"Alright, everyone report their findings" Ron asked, they were all sitting in a circle with a table in the center.
"I'll go first" Tracey volunteered. "I found out that the only people who had a free period when the attacks happened were the fifth year Gryffindors and the sixth year Ravenclaws."
"I overheard some Gryffindor second years talking" Pansy jumped in. "Potter was the only second year not in Gryffindor tower during the attack… It turns out, he's been walking around the castle… 'Brooding' was the word Lavender Brown used."
"I found out that Finch-Fletchley was terrified of only two people" Blaise said aloofly. "You, and Potter…"
"Why Potter?" Ron asked.
"Because at some point, Finch-Fletchley told Potter that he was a Muggle-Born" Blaise shook his head. "He was running scared from Potter for months… And he made sure that everyone in Hufflepuff knew that. Potter is their number one suspect now."
"But we know that Potter is innocent" Millie said firmly. "Mostly because he himself was trying to find the Heir."
"I heard a rather odd thing" Daphne piped in. "Someone's been killing Hagrid's roosters…"
"Um… Okay…" Ron blinked.
"What?!" Daphne huffed indignantly. "You said anything weird! That's weird!" she pouted angrily. Yeesh… Sorry…
"I heard something weird too…" Theo said, his voice sounded subdued. "Ron, you aren't going to like what I'm about to say…"
"What?" Ron asked slowly. What did he hear? Theo never gets like this unless it's something really serious.
"There was one first year who was incredibly late to her morning classes today…" Theo started. "Ginny Weasley…" Ron blinked at Theo, and then he began chuckling.
"Good one, Theo" Ron chuckled. "My sister… The Heir of Slytherin!" Ron laughed.
"Put her on the list" Blaise told Pansy, and Ron stopped laughing.
"What?!" Ron exclaimed. "NO! No way! My sister is not the damn Heir of Slytherin!"
"We aren't saying that she is" Theo frowned. "We're saying she was late to her classes, and could therefore be the Heir…"
"THAT'S AS GOOD AS ACCUSING HER!" Ron bellowed, and everyone except Blaise jumped a bit. "Shite… Sorry!" Ron apologized quickly, damn his anger! "My sister could never do something like this! She is afraid of snakes…"
"Ron, calm down please" Daphne said firmly, and Ron took in a deep breath. My sister… the Heir… Hippogriff dung!
"Anyone have anything else to add?" Blaise asked around.
"I do…" Ron muttered. "Some Ravenclaws were talking about Professor Sprout's Mandrakes… Apparently someone tried to set her Greenhouse on fire last night, and she is on the warpath!"
"I heard about that too!" Millie joined in. "There was some Charm in place to douse any fire as soon as it started. It saved her Greenhouse…"
"That makes sense" Theo said slowly. "Mandrakes are used to create a Restorative Draught that can undo Petrification. It had to be the Heir… They're trying to kill off the Mandrakes before they fully mature…"
"Okay…" Ron nodded. "So we have a list of suspects, which includes my sister…" Everyone rolled their eyes at Ron's semi-aggressive tone. "We also know that the Hufflepuffs are against Potter, while everyone else is against me… And now we know that the Heir is targeting those Mandrakes."
"And Hagrid's roosters are being killed…" Daphne added in with a pout, she was annoyed that her work wasn't being counted by Ron.
"Daph… That has nothing to do with this…" Ron muttered.
"THOSE ROOSTERS WERE MURDERED BY THE HEIR!" Daphne exclaimed hysterically. Merlin have mercy! Crazy bint!
December 18th, 1992 (Breakfast)
"Are you seriously staying behind?" Daphne frowned at Ron, and he smiled at her with a mouth full of eggs. Daphne sniggered and pushed his head away from her.
"Yes" Ron answered as he swallowed his food. "Dad and… Mum… will be going to Egypt to visit my brother Bill. My sister and I are staying behind at Hogwarts."
"I thought Lord Black invited you and your siblings to his home for Christmas?" Blaise asked.
"He did…" Ron sighed. "I declined… Potter, Hermione, and Longbottom are going to be there… So yeah…"
"Why did your sister refuse?" Millie asked with narrowed eyes. If she calls Ginny the Heir I swear to Merlin I'm going to go mental!
"I don't know…" Ron sighed. "Percy is staying back as well, it's just the twins that accepted Sirius' invitation. Which is good… I'm pretty sure that they're targeting me now… But enough about me, what are all of you planning?"
"I'm going home" Pansy sighed. "My dear mother is taking me out 'shopping'…"
"Theo and I are staying at Nott Manor" Blaise shrugged. "We'd invite you, but you're a Blood-Traitor…" Ouch…
"I'm going skiing!" Tracey squealed.
"What's skiing?" Theo asked.
"A Muggle thing" Tracey said happily.
"Hmmm" Theo hummed. "Tell me about it…" Tracey and Theo then started talking about skiing, ignoring the rest of the group.
"I'm going to Australia!" Millie smiled happily. "I want to see and hold a Koala!" A what? Why don't I know any of these things?
"And I'm spending my Christmas at Greengrass Manor" Daphne smiled happily. "Wait… Ron, you should come with me! I know father would love to have you over for Christmas!" Huh? It sounds fun… But no. I'm not leaving Ginny here alone… This might be my only chance to approach her without all of the Gryffindors trying to behead me!
"I appreciate the offer, Daph" Ron said apologetically, and Daphne looked put off at his tone. "But I'm going to be staying here. I want to talk to Ginny… and this might be my only chance…"
"The Gryffindors…" Blaise sighed as he understood what Ron meant.
"Yeah…" Ron sighed back. They're planning something against me… I know it!
"What about the Gryffindors?" Millie asked. "I know they hate you, but what do they have to do with you talking to Ginny? She's your sister…"
"She's a Gryffindor, isn't she?" Blaise asked aloofly. "They will never let 'The Heir' talk to one of their own… Not to mention that they are all looking for a reason to attack Ron…"
"That's more reason to not stay behind" Pansy frowned. "Accept Daphne's offer Ron, otherwise you'll be here all alone…"
"I can handle myself" Ron said firmly.
"Sign this if you're staying behind" a third year Slytherin boy said as he handed Blaise a parchment.
"Well, well" Blaise smirked. "Looks like Ron has nothing to worry about…"
"What?" Ron asked, and Blaise handed him the parchment. The parchment was signed by Ginny, Percy, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle… That's it?! Only six of us are staying behind?! And why are those three tossers staying behind?!
"It makes sense" Daphne said as she read the parchment over Ron's shoulder. "People are running scared, no one wants to stay behind with the monster of Slytherin…" Ron frowned as he signed his name on the parchment, and then Daphne took the parchment and the attached quill from him. She began signing her own name on the parchment.
"Daph, what are you doing?" Ron asked.
"Staying behind…" Daphne said dismissively.
"What about your family?" Millie asked.
"They'll understand" Daphne shrugged as she passed the parchment off to some first years.
"Daphne…" Ron started but she cut him off.
"Malfoy and his bodyguards are staying behind, you'll need my help" Daphne said stubbornly, and then she huffed as she always did. Arguing with her will only set her off now…
Albus Dumbledore POV
December 21st, 1992 (Before Breakfast)
"Albus, please reconsider this…" Severus said icily as they walked to the Great Hall together. "We know nothing of this 'Void' within the boy's mind, don't be a fool!"
"Severus, this has to be done" Albus said calmly. He hadn't told Severus that he suspected Ronald of being possessed by Tom… Severus had mentioned seeing Tom flee in his spirit form the night Ronald was attacked, but Dumbledore feared that Tom was using Legilimency to influence the boy. It wouldn't be the first time he did something like that! I must find any trace of Tom within Ronald, and I must purge it…
"This is an ill-prepared plan, Albus" Severus argued. "You are attempting to use Legilimency on the boy right in front of everyone… What if it backfires?"
"His guard will be down amongst his siblings, Severus" Albus sighed. "That will make my job easier…" It was Saturday morning, and mostly every student had left the castle for the Yule Break. Ronald was being given the day off by Sebastian, and Albus planned to use this opportunity. He'd make everyone sit together as he had done the last time, and when Ronald was deep in conversation, Albus would take a peek into the boy's mind.
Albus and Severus entered the empty Great Hall, and Albus immediately used his wand to vanish all of the tables. And then he summoned one large table in the center of the Great Hall, just like he had last Christmas. Once everything was set up, Albus sat in his seat and Severus sat on his right. Now we wait…
"I will ask you one more time to reconsider…" Severus said in a low voice. "Don't do this, Albus."
"Severus" Albus sighed. "There were two more attacks just a few days ago, I must act."
"You suspect the boy…" Snape said slowly. "Albus, the Weasleys have no connection to Salazar Slytherin. How could the boy possibly be the Heir?" Albus suddenly felt the students and staff approaching, they were all about to enter the Great Hall.
"Severus, you must trust me" Albus implored, and Snape let out a soft sigh.
"Do as you please" Snape said bitterly.
December 21st, 1992 (Breakfast)
There was utter silence on the table as they all ate. Ronald was sitting with Daphne Greengrass, and the two were talking in hushed whispers. Albus smiled softly as he watched Ronald stifle a laugh due to something that the Greengrass Heiress whispered in his ear. Albus smiled more widely as he saw how proud Daphne looked at making Ron laugh, she seemed to be quite smitten with him. Oh, to be young again…
"How are everyone's studies progressing?" Filius asked in an attempt to start a conversation. The younger students looked down at their plates, while Percy Weasley smiled widely.
"Quite well, Professor" Percy said firmly. "I will be using the Yule Break to study ahead for your class." He certainly is the most driven of his siblings… That is good! He has a strong mind.
"And how about all of you?" Filius asked the Slytherins. Draco, Vincent, Gregory, and Daphne looked in different directions, while Ronald smiled sheepishly at Filius.
"They're going well" Ronald said softly, no doubt embarrassed at being put on the spot.
"Why are you not at work, Mr. Weasley?" Minerva asked.
"Lord Greengrass gave me the day off… you know, because it's Christmas soon…" Ron answered lamely. I need to start a conversation between the children. Ronald is becoming guarded by this questioning. But how do I do that? This is an unlikely lot! Albus then spotted Ginny Weasley pushing some bacon around on her plate, she looked less than fine…
"Ginevra, are you feeling well?" Albus asked softly, and the girl's head shot up. Albus did not fail to notice that Ronald too was now fully alert.
"I'm fine, Headmaster" Ginevra answered meekly, her voice shaky. Albus smiled at her in a kindly manner, but that made her go paler. Is she… scared of me?
"Ginny, are sure you're okay?" Percy asked her softly.
"Yeah Gin, you're looking really pale…" Ronald said with a faint smile.
"I'm fine, Ron" Ginevra snapped, and Ronald flinched. Draco and his two friends sniggered at Ronald, while Daphne frowned deeply at Ginevra. Albus blinked at Ginevra's odd behavior, was she upset with Ronald about Harry? Or was it something else? Severus had informed Albus that he had stopped the two siblings from fighting before… This had confused Albus because he had seen how close the two were last year. Sometimes siblings part ways… Albus thought of Aberforth for a split second. No. I need to concentrate on Ronald.
Albus looked to Ronald and found him engaged in a hushed conversation with Daphne, Ronald looked rather subdued and gloomy. His defenses have been weakened by Ginevra… This is the best opportunity I will get today. Albus steeled his own mind, and then he sent out his 'mental hooks'. As Albus gazed directly at Ronald, Albus felt himself slowly enter the boy's mind. And then, there it was… Albus felt something cold and ethereal trying to reach out for him. Albus thought about pulling away for a second, but then he instead focused completely on breaking through this 'Void'. As Albus pushed further in, he felt the 'Void' engulf him. It was cold, but also welcoming… Albus suddenly felt as if he had passed through a door. Good, I'm inside Ronald's mind…
December 21st, 1992 (Within Ronald's Mind)
Albus was immediately bombarded with a lot of raw emotions that were swirling about in the boy's mind, Ronald was clearly very emotionally unstable. Albus could feel so many passions at once, and they made him feel pity for the boy. Albus quickly focused on the negative emotions, they would lead him to some answers. That is what Tom would have done, I must find a trail… Albus suddenly felt doubt, loneliness, rage, guilt, shame, bitterness, a sense of betrayal, a sense of rejection, and a sense of worthlessness. Worthlessness…? Albus pushed himself towards that feeling, and he quickly found himself inside the Burrow.
Albus looked around the familiar kitchen with a faint smile, and he saw Molly Weasley cooking dinner. She had Ginevra hugging her side, both mother and daughter looked so happy together. Ginevra looked to around five, and she laughed loudly as she played with some dough. Albus heard quick footsteps from behind him, and he turned to see a six year-old Ronald Weasley approach his mother from behind her. The boy was beaming at his mother and sister adorably.
"Mummy! Can I cook too?" Ronald asked cheerfully. "I can help!"
"No, it's okay love" Molly said as she kept her eyes on Ginny. "Go and… um… go and find your father." Molly dismissed Ronald. Albus watched the little boy's face fall for a second, but then he beamed again.
"Okay mummy!" Ronald said excitedly as he turned around to go outside. Albus followed the boy the towards the Weasley shed, Albus knew that Arthur kept his Muggle treasures within this room. Ronald entered the shed with a happy smile that made even Albus feel cheerful. "Daddy!" Ronald called. "Are you here?!"
"I'm here, son" Arthur sighed, and then he came out from a cluttered corner. Arthur had grease smudges on his face and hands. "What can I do for you?" Arthur smiled softy at his son.
"Can I stay here?!" Ronald smiled. "I won't touch anything, I promise."
"Um... not now… son…" Arthur said slowly. "I'm working with something dangerous…" Albus frowned and went to see what Arthur was working on, it was a land mine! Why does he have that so close to his home and family? Albus shook his head at Arthur's lack of common sense.
"Dangerous?" Ronald pouted.
"Yes… very… Now please go" Arthur smiled sadly, and Ronald nodded slowly. Ronald left the shed dejectedly. "OH! And don't tell your mother…"
"Arthur…" Albus muttered under his breath. Albus then followed the boy back towards the house, and they both spotted Bill and Charlie Weasley leaving the front door.
"Bill! Charlie!" Ronald called to them as he quickly ran up to his older brothers. "Can we play?!"
"Not now Ronnie" Bill smiled. "Charlie and I want to go to the creek…"
"I can come with…" Ronald offered softly. "Please…"
"No means no" Charlie frowned. "Go away, you aren't old enough." The two older boys then walked off, leaving Ronald behind.
"Did you have to talk to him like that?" Albus heard Bill whisper.
"He wouldn't leave us alone otherwise… He's so clingy…" Charlie whispered back. Albus heard a door opening behind him, and he turned to see Ronald walking back inside with slumped shoulders. Albus followed the boy upstairs, and he watched Ron enter a bedroom.
"Percy… can we play chess?" Ronald asked, Percy seemed to be reading a book. Percy stood up without looking away from his book, and then the older boy pushed Ronald out slowly. Ronald was about to say something but Percy closed the door in his face. Albus watched Ronald stand there quietly for a few seconds, and then Ronald moved towards another bedroom. Ronald hesitantly knocked on the door, and Fred Weasley opened the door slightly to peer through.
"Ron?" Fred asked as he watched the little boy from the crack in the doorway.
"Can I… stay with you and George?" Ronald asked softly. "Everyone else is too busy for me…"
"No" Fred answered bluntly. "But, if you're willing to try something George and I just made… we might make an exception…"
"Will it hurt like last time?" Ronald asked meekly, and Albus saw Fred frown.
"You're such a little girl" Fred bit out. "Go away Ron… No one wants you around." And then Fred slammed the door shut. Ronald blinked at the door, and then he ran up to his room. Albus slowly followed the boy, and he found Ronald sitting on his bed. Ronald was clutching his pillow tightly to his chest, and he was trying not to cry. Albus' chest tightened, but he knew that this was just a memory. He couldn't help this little red-haired boy. Did Ariana feel like this every time I dismissed her? Albus couldn't help but feel some guilt cloud his judgement. All Ronald had wanted in this memory was some semblance of acceptance…
Albus then heard Molly and Ginevra Weasley laughing loudly from downstairs, and he watched as Ronald's face twisted painfully. The boy began sobbing quietly as he buried his face into his pillow. Albus had seen enough of this, he had a job to do. He couldn't afford to waste any more time in this particular memory. Albus detached his 'mental hooks' from the memory and followed Ronald's sense of betrayal. As it became more and more pronounced, Albus found himself standing in the girls' bathroom on the first floor of Hogwarts. He watched as the Trio left the bathroom with happy smiles, and Albus knew what this meant. This is when Ron found out about their plans…
"They fucking betrayed me…" came Ronald's voice from behind Albus, and Albus turned around with a sad look. "My own friends…" Ronald heaved, and then Ronald grabbed and pulled his own hair. The boy fell on his knees as he wept hysterically, and Albus was nearly overwhelmed by the pain in this memory. The sense of betrayal and rejection was strong here. Ronald felt like he was nothing. That everything he had done for the Trio had meant nothing to them. Albus clenched his jaw as he watched the boy scream and cry, there was nothing he could do but watch… This is not the memory I want, I need to move on… Albus detached himself from the memory, and began looking for the memory of Ronald's encounter with Tom. And then, Albus suddenly found himself standing in the courtyard of Hogwarts. How…?
Albus gazed around the black and white 'memory', and he felt an odd sense of dread. What is this? This doesn't feel like a memory… No, this feels real... Albus reached into his robes and pulled out his wand, something was very wrong here. Albus tried to cast Legilimency with his wand, but nothing happened. Albus then tried to use a simple water summoning spell, but nothing happened. I don't have… magic… Panic bubbled in his stomach, where was he?! He had been scouring Ronald's mind, and now he was here… Standing right in front of his school, everything colorless… What was going on?! I've never seen magic like this before… It's as if I've been taken into a different place… Am I still in Ronald's mind? Is he behind this?! How?!
Albus slowly entered the Entrance Hall from the courtyard, his steps were slow and cautious. This place looked exactly like Hogwarts, but Albus knew that it wasn't. No, this was something else entirely. Albus heard a door slam shut behind him, and he quickly turned around. The Entrance Hall door was gone, and in its place was a solid wall. I'm trapped! Albus then heard a terrifying scream, one that froze his blood and made his knees tremble. The screams of pain got louder and louder, and they were coming from inside the Great Hall. The giant door was closed, and Albus wasn't sure if he should enter it. And yet, something was calling him in. He had a desire to enter, a need to enter…
Albus pushed the giant doors apart, and what he saw stopped his breathing… The Great Hall was completely empty, save for two things. The first was a man who was crucified on a golden cross, the screams were coming from him. The second was a small red-haired boy who was standing in front of the crucified man with his back towards Albus.
"DUMBLEDORE!" the crucified man wailed, and Albus almost collapsed on his knees as he realized who it was. TOM?! "HELP ME! HELP ME PLEASE!" Tom cried, and all Albus could do was shake from the horror. Tom was completely flayed, his chest cavity broken open, and his insides throbbing in full display. "KILL ME, I'M BEGGING YOU!"
The small red-haired boy turned around slowly to face Albus, and Albus could barely breathe because of the fear he felt. He wanted to steel his mind using Occlumency, but he couldn't even think of words right now. Albus' eyes went as wide as saucers when he saw the boy's face, it was Ronald. But it wasn't Ronald… The boy's eyes were blood crimson, and they looked like the eyes of a toad. And then the boy smiled in a horrifying manner, displaying his dagger-sharp teeth. No… this wasn't Ronald… This thing was a monster…
Albus let out a horrified gasp as 'Ronald' began walking towards him with a quickened pace, its eyes staring hungrily at Albus. Albus' legs moved before his mind could even process anything, his legs already knew that he was going to die if that thing caught up to him. As Albus ran up the few steps that led to the moving staircases, he could hear Tom screaming for him to 'COME BACK!'… Albus shot a quick look back and his heart clenched in fear as he saw "Ronald" walking towards him from the Great Hall's entrance. Run… I have to run!
Albus ran as hard as he could from that thing, and it pursued Albus with only a quickened walk. As Albus reached the fourth floor, he looked down with terrified eyes and saw that the monster was still on the second floor staircase. Albus didn't even wait to think, he had to run! By the time he got in front of the stone gargoyle guarding his Office, Albus' breathing was shallow and quick.
"Sherbet Lemon!" Albus yelled at the gargoyle, but it didn't move. "Licorice Wand! Every Flavored Beans! LEMON DROPS!" The gargoyle didn't budge, and Albus let out frustrated yell. "OPEN DAMN YOU! WHY WON'T YOU…" Albus' panicked yelling died in his throat as he heard footsteps getting closer and closer to him. It was here! Albus turned around and stepped back against the wall, the footsteps getting louder and louder. And then, the monster stepped into his view… And it was no longer Ronald, it was a young Gellert Grindelwald. A man Albus had once loved… Only now, 'Gellert' had crimson toad-like eyes and a mouth full of dagger-sharp teeth.
"WHAT ARE YOU?!" Albus yelled, but the monster just smiled more widely. Its gaze became even more ravenous, and that terrified Albus… "GET BACK!" Albus yelled as he ran towards the other side of the corridor. "WHERE IS RONALD?! ANSWER ME?!" The monster just kept walking towards Albus with its quickened pace, and that frustrated Albus even more than it scared him. What was this thing?! There were a million questions in Albus' mind, and not one of them mattered to him right now. And all because he knew that once this thing caught up to him, he was going to die…
Albus managed to make it to library, and he hid himself inside a secret cabinet that he had discovered as a young man. Albus put his hand over his mouth and nose in-order to control his breathing, why couldn't he calm down?! That was something he had noticed while he had been running away. He wasn't getting calmer, instead his fear was just multiplying… It had to be this place! It was doing something to his mind! Why had he felt the need to open that door? Why had he run to his Office? Why was he hiding in this tight little space?! Another fearful thought entered his mind, there would be no escape if that thing showed up here! Had it led him here?! Albus whimpered in panic, what was happening?! In the end, fear overtook caution…
Albus stepped out of the hidden cabinet, and then he slowly began making his way out of the library. He had to get out of the castle, and then he would figure out what was happening. As Albus stepped out of the restricted section, he heard a few books falling over nearby. His heart immediately jumped into his throat as he looked around frantically… He was alone… It was dark inside the library, but not dark enough that he couldn't see. Albus slowly began to move forward, and that's when he felt a tiny body land on top of him from above.
Albus grunted in pain as he fell forward, and he felt two tiny hands grabbing at him. And then those little hands grabbed onto his right forearm, and Albus turned to see a monstrous Ariana Dumbledore grinning down at him. Before Albus could even make a sound at the sight, Ariana's jaw unhinged unnaturally and she bit down on Albus' forearm with such force that Albus felt his forearm bones snap in half. Albus screamed and thrashed about in agony, but his monstrous sister slapped, scratched, bit, punched, kicked, and clawed at him. Albus was easily overpowered, and the mind-numbing pain put his brain into shock. He was utterly defenseless as the monster savaged him viciously, and then it just stopped. Albus felt a tiny hand grab him by his hair, and then Albus was being dragged away slowly.
He watched in a stunned daze as they left the library, a bloody trail following behind them. Albus merely noticed that his robes were torn to pieces, and that he was bleeding heavily. Yet he felt no pain… The benefits of going into shock… The monster dragged Albus down the moving staircases, and Albus didn't even register the bumps on his way down. Once he could hear Tom screaming again, Albus knew that he was in the Entrance Hall again. And then, his little sister was standing over him with a horrifying grin. Her toad-like eyes were ravenous and cruel, and her dagger-sharp teeth were covered in his blood.
"If you ever dare enter the Champion's mind again…" the creature disguised as his sister spoke, its voice almost drove Albus into insanity from fear. "You will never leave this place… We will taste your soul, Albus Dumbledore."
"Cham… Champion?" Albus managed to croak. Nothing made any sense anymore…
"Leave… this is your only chance. There will be no mercy the next time we meet… LEAVE!"
December 21st, 1992 (After Breakfast)
'Headmaster…" came Severus' voice, and then someone shook Albus lightly. Albus' senses returned, and he jumped out of his chair violently. The Professors stood up just as quickly, both alarmed and terrified. No one had seen Albus act so erratically before. Albus shot quick looks around, and he noticed that he was back inside the Great Hall. His Great Hall…
"Albus, what has happened?" Minerva gasped, and Albus looked to her in a daze. I'm back?! What just happened to me?! RONALD?! Albus looked to where the children had been sitting, and they were all gone.
"They left ten minutes ago…" Snape said slowly, his own mind was racing at seeing his mentor so… disturbed…
"They did…?" Albus asked slowly, and this did not help calm the Professors down. Albus then felt lightheaded and weak… He was utterly exhausted, but his mind didn't want to stop processing what had just happened… "Severus…" Albus sighed out, and the Potions Master grabbed onto Albus' arm to steady him.
"Headmaster…?" Severus whispered. "Albus, what happened?" Albus opened his mouth to reply, but his vision blurred completely. What happened to me?! What was that thing?! What did it mean by 'Champion'?!
Darkness took Albus as he heard the Professors gasp and call out his name…
AUTHOR'S NOTES: And the moral of the story is... Don't use mind-reading on a kid that you suspect to be possessed... Coz he might be! I hope you guys enjoyed that!
Now I know there wasn't much fallout in this chapter... but it's only been like a week since Ron pulled that stunt of his! Unfortunately for Ron, he might not have as many allies after his little speech... But he won't care about that, he is finally trying to get his head back in the game! A good slap will do that to ya!
Next chapter will have more Draco, Ron, and Daphne interactions! (Crabbe and Goyle are too stupid to participate) You'll definitely see more Ginny, Harry, and Hermione too! And of course, a very confused and scared Dumbledore!
See you all soon!