Fate

by TheTrueSpartan

When Ron discovers that he can see the future, his entire fate is thrown off of its course. A story about adventure, friendship, growing up, and pushing forward through hardships. This story will get darker as it progresses, just like the original Harry Potter novels. It will cover all Seven Years of Hogwarts, but mostly from Ron's perspective. No Mary Sues, no Character bashing.

135. Chapter 135 - Sins of the Past

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Chapter 135, fresh out of the oven!

Enjoy!

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.

There's also another Ron story out that's really good so far! It's called 'There and Back Again', and it's written by Chuchi Otaku. Please, go check it out! I've certainly enjoyed reading it!

---

Fate

Chapter 135 – Sins of the Past

Albus Dumbledore's POV

?

"Do you understand why I gave you detention, Tom?" Albus asked the second year.

"Of course, Professor Dumbledore," Tom replied, polite as always. "I was reckless, and Warrens could have gotten hurt. I promise to be more… careful… next time."

Albus studied the boy, unable to determine what was going on in his head. Tom was calm, as he always was; a humble smile gracing his porcelain features, but behind his dark eyes lurked an overwhelming hunger. An endless need to prove himself, to reach heights none before him had even dreamed of, and if anyone was capable of achieving this dream; it was Tom Marvolo Riddle.

Albus found himself feeling entirely uneasy for the first time since Ariana's funeral, as if his instincts, tempered by regret and a broken heart, were screaming out to warn him of the horrors this boy would one day commit.

"Did Mr. Warrens anger you?" Albus asked, leaning back in his chair.

"He called me poor," Tom replied, not looking bothered.

"You didn't answer my question, Tom," Albus said. "Were you angry when you Cursed Mr. Warrens?"

"I was angry, but I quickly realized my mistake, didn't I?" Tom asked in response, the boy was quick to always paint himself as a saint. "Professor Slughorn was adamant that I saved Warrens' life."

"When did Mr. Warrens call you poor, Tom?" Albus asked. "Was it right before the incident?"

Albus already knew that Tom had waited, even stalked young Warrens to an isolated location before attacking him, but he still believed… Believed that Tom was simply misguided, and not a wolf living amongst sheep.

"I don't understand," Tom's smile grew, while his eyes turned colder. "Do you think I am lying to you, Professor? Are you suggesting that I Cursed a fellow Slytherin without provocation?"

"Of course not," Albus put on a smile of his own. "I simply wish to make sure this doesn't happen again. You are a brilliant young man, Tom, and I don't want you to risk your education needlessly."

The boy seemed pleased with the praise bestowed upon him by the already renowned Albus Dumbledore, his constant eye-contact even suggested that Tom saw Albus as an equal.

"This will never happen again, Professor," Tom promised, his voice already bordering on arrogant. "I've learned my lesson, and I won't cause you any further trouble. I'll make sure of it."

"It is not myself I worry for," Albus thought to himself.

"May I be excused now, Professor?" Tom asked, already rising up to dismiss himself. "Nott and Lestrange always struggle with Herbology, and I promised to help them tonight."

"Yes, I hear you spend a lot of time in the Library, and that you even help the older Slytherins with their assignments," Albus nodded. "Headmaster Dippet is ecstatic over Slytherin's rising academic prowess, as is Professor Slughorn. They both believe you to be a prodigy, and I find myself agreeing with their assessment."

"I'm just proud to help Hogwarts be better," Tom shot a practised smile back, not breaking his stride. "Goodnight, Professor."

"Goodnight, Tom," Albus said, his smile disappearing as soon as Tom shut the door. "Merlin… I didn't get anything out of him…"

Albus closed his eyes and let out a tired breath, a day full of terrible news from the warfront and now this? Could his day get any more stressful? Was it time for Albus to join the war? He couldn't confront Gellert, but he could still help-

"There was no goodness in him," a demonic voice ripped its way into Albus' mind, shocking him.

Albus' eyes shot wide open, only to have them spot a young redhead with monstrous, crimson eyes staring back at him, sitting exactly where Tom was sitting not a minute ago.

A lump of fear threatened to choke him, but Albus didn't move a single muscle. He couldn't…

"And there is no goodness in Us," the demon grinned, revealing its monstrous teeth.

Albus whimpered, shrinking in his chair as the demon rose up slowly, leaning over the table until its shadow darkened Albus' trembling form.

"We are here because of you," the demon whispered maliciously, each word laced with searing hatred. "And We will not leave, not until the work is done."

"Wo-… Work…?" Albus managed, and the demon grinned a vicious grin; suddenly slamming its fists down onto the table, shattering it in two.

"WAKE UP, YOU OLD CUNT!"

---

Thursday 18th March, 1994 (Dinnertime – Headmaster's Office)

Albus awoke with a jerk, his feeble hands seeking out his desk in order to steady him.

Had he fallen asleep? I was remembering, and then…

Albus' eyes quickly darted around the room, relief washing over him when he saw no signs of Ronald. He's not here, that's good. It was just a nightmare. Letting go of the table, Albus leaned back in his chair and massaged his temples. That was not Ronald, was it? No, it was that creature. It's voice still haunts me.

Shuddering, Albus closed his eyes and thought of better days, reminding himself of the many reasons not to give into dread. It was more difficult than ever, now, as Albus found it harder and harder to focus on the good when there was so much evil in the world. Evil that flourished during my watch. Ronald was right, I could have-… should have done more. So much has gone wrong; how can we possibly hope to change the future?

Knowing that he was exhausted, and wise enough to understand that he needed food if were to contemplate the future, Albus rose from his seat, only to hear a knock at his door. Severus? No, I know this overwhelming presence, the feeling of standing in a room full of corpses. Ronald…

"Come in, my boy," Albus sat back down, clearing his throat. That was not Ronald in my dream. It was the demon that oppresses Ronald.

The door opened slowly, and Ronald stepped in, freshly showered by the looks of it. He didn't wait to dry, or, style his hair. He's in a hurry to be somewhere.

"Hello, Headmaster," Ronald greeted, his voice barely audible. "May I speak with you? If you have the time?"

"I always have time for a friend," Albus smiled, gesturing Ronald to sit down.

Ronald didn't move, looking anywhere but at Albus. He's still upset. I know he doesn't blame Severus and me, but he's gone through too much on his own, while we… wasted time…

"Do you have time for a game?" Albus asked. "I can have food brought to us-"

"I'm going home," Ronald cut in, still not meeting Albus' gaze. "I… I want to go back to the Burrow."

Albus was swiftly reminded of his own warnings to Severus; Ronald had finally decided to wander off into the darkness on his own. This was not good, not good at all. It wasn't that Albus didn't trust Ronald, now more than ever he did, but he also respected that Ronald was unwell, and that without proper guidance; only Albus' nightmare would remain, not Ronald Weasley.

"Tomorrow is the final day of term," Albus started, but Ronald simply shook his head. He's… What's happened? "Ronald? Are you upset? Come, dear boy, speak to me."

"I had a long day… And Emilia…" Ronald trailed off. Emilia?

"What has happened?" Albus demanded, rising from his seat. "Were you attacked?"

"A crazy bitch poisoned Emilia with the Crucible…" Ronald replied, his head hanging in defeat. "She'll probably hate me for telling you, but this is Order business too…"

"The Crucible… Who would dare?" Albus was rather taken aback, and he felt a great swell of pity for the young and misguided Ronin. Poor child, I will go to her, at once. "Fawkes, prepare yourself, time is of the essence."

The Phoenix rose fully upon his upon perch, spreading his wings and letting Albus know that he was already thinking the same. Come, then, now is not the time to show off to Ronald-

"It won't work," Ronald said as he massaged his face rather roughly, stopping Albus and Fawkes. "It won't work, she has to conquer her fears on her own… We just have to wait… Fucking wait…" He feels powerless. Now, I see. He's frustrated, and he didn't come to me because 'this is Order business'. He's scared.

With his new insight, Albus quickly worked to correct the course of the conversation. "The Tears of a Phoenix won't bring her back, but they will keep her body strong. Was she seizing up when you left her?"

"Seizing up…?" Ronald finally looked up, like a deer caught in headlights. "No… No one mentioned anything about that. What are you talking about, Headmaster?!" Albus, you are an idiot.

"Come, I must see her for myself," Albus moved fast, tucking the Elder Wand into the holster stitched inside his sleeve. "Quickly, dear boy, Fawkes must know where we are going-"

"I have a Portkey," Ronald searched his pocket, producing a handkerchief. "It'll take us to her manor! You… You're really going to help her? I know you don't approve of-"

"She is one of us, only that matters now," Albus told Ronald, making sure to keep his gaze. "Remember this, Ronald. Even if you disagree with someone's actions, you should never write them off. I do not approve of her methods, yes, but I understand that she is in great pain, and like many of my own students; she has lost her way. We must always save what can be saved, otherwise; we lose people like Emilia Travers." We lose people like you, and you helped me to see that with your mentor. I'm just sorry I couldn't help you hold onto that part of you, but now, I'm going to save what I can save.

---

Thursday 18th March, 1994 (Travers Manor – Near Midnight)

"Her hand isn't rigid anymore! Look!" Ronald shot out of his chair, surprising Godrey and Albus as they followed suit.

After putting on his half-moon spectacles, Albus observed Emilia's right hand; Ronald was right, it had finally relaxed. The Tears worked in the end, despite the potion's best efforts. This is an excellent sign; she may wake up sooner than we thought.

Albus smiled at Ron, silently conveying the good news. The relief that washed over Ronald's face filled Albus with a satisfying sense of paternal pride, a feeling he wasn't quite accustomed to, despite being the Headmaster of the most accomplished Magical School in the world.

"Thank you, you have no idea…" Ronald's smile continued to grow, a forgotten spark of awe in his eyes. "Is she really going to be okay?"

"She's strong, and now that we've given her some support, I imagine she will free herself soon," Albus gave his honest opinion, as honesty was important to Ronald.

"Godrey did not know of the seizures," Godrey still looked ashamed. Seizures would only be the beginning. The Crucible wouldn't have stopped until her organs did the same. A cruel joke.

"The Crucible often destroys the body before the mind can return to it, a twisted trick that many have fallen victim to," Albus shook his head. "Do not feel ashamed to know so little of this vile poison, it should be forgotten along with many of our cruellest inventions."

"But you stopped it," Ronald said, walking over to Emilia's side and sitting on the edge of the bed. "She's going to be okay, Godrey, that's what matters, now." I agree.

Albus nodded to himself, studying Ronald's interactions with Emilia. He was now holding her hand, as if waiting for her to wake up at any moment. It was a touching sight, but it also bothered Albus greatly. He is still putting others on pedestals, perhaps now more than ever. He almost died today, but shows absolutely no concern over that. Emilia is the only thing he can focus on. This habit of his is killing him, but he can't see it.

Continuing his inspection of Emilia, Albus moved past Ronald and stood near her head, placing his hand gently upon her chest whilst listening to her breathing. Her heartbeat has become steady, at last. And she is no longer struggling for breath, another sign of recovery. She is strong, I'd even wager that she's faced her demons before.

Albus shot a look back at Ronald, who was watching Albus with expecting eyes. "She will recover soon, my boy, you can stop worrying."

"I'll stop worrying when she tells me to, but saying that…" Ronald started, smiling a little. "Thank you, Headmaster-"

"Thank you for coming to me, Ronald, you have saved her life once again," Albus said, deciding to praise Ronald instead of accepting it himself. "She could have had a heart attack in her sleep, as the Crucible's main function is to induce stress and terror on par with a Boggart."

"Overexposure to Boggarts can result in terror-induced complications," Ronald quoted The Essential Defence Against the Dark Arts. "Complications like heart attacks… Bloody hell…"

"May the Gods smite Godrey," Godrey lowered his gaze, looking a century older. "Godrey has failed Mistress yet again."

"Headmaster, I didn't even think of that…" Ronald confessed. I know, but I'm still going to give you credit. She is lucky to have you. "I came to tell you that I'm leaving Hogwarts… And I'm… I'm not sure about coming back, anymore…" It is as I feared, then. Damn.

Godrey looked to Albus, the old Elf was concerned by Ronald's decision as well. Ronald has made a lifelong friend in Godrey, today, but I should focus on that later.

"Godrey, I do not wish to impose, but I have not eaten since-" Albus began.

"Say no more, kind Headmaster," Godrey bowed, quickly reminding himself to be more hospitable to his guests. "Godrey should have already offered supper upon arrival, this old Elf forgets his manners!"

"He's also very dramatic…" Ronald muttered under his breath, giving Albus a knowing look.

"All three of us need to eat, Ronald," Albus said, smiling innocently. "We've been in here too long, and we could use a change of scenery."

"Godrey will wake up the staff," Godrey puffed up.

"Oh, please, don't do that," Ronald cringed. "Let the poor blighters sleep. What's the matter with you?"

"Some bread and cheese will do," Albus chuckled, he also didn't like the idea of a Hogwarts feast at this late hour. "Come, Ronald, I think you've earned yourself a glass of wine-"

"I'd rather have juice," Ronald refused. "Pumpkin is my favourite; do you have that?"

"Of course," Godrey replied. "Anything for Ron." Anything for Ron? Interesting.

"Share a drink with me," Albus said patiently, giving the younger wizard an encouraging smile. "I'm certain that Emilia has something sweet in her wine cellar."

"Mistress only stores the finest selection of wines," Godrey said proudly. "Godrey will find the perfect one."

"Well? How does that sound?" Albus waited, while Ronald drew in a long breath.

"Okay…" he eventually agreed. Good man, let's put this night behind us- "Can I stay with her for a bit? Alone? I'll find you in the dining room, just tell the mercenaries to expect me moving about by myself." He wants to make sure that she's all right for himself?

"Of course," Albus said, following Godrey out. "Don't take too long, though, Ronald. She needs her rest. Fawkes will keep her warm through the night, I'm certain his singing will comfort her immensely."

"Thanks, Fawkes," Ronald shot the Phoenix a grateful, but tired, look, as Fawkes began to hum a soothing melody.

As Albus hesitantly shut the door behind him, he saw no movement on Ronald's part; the redhead simply sat with the sleeping Ronin, holding her hand through her nightmares. I remember when I first splinched myself, Elphias sat with me through the entire night. That was a good night, wasn't it, Elphias? We ate so many beans that you vomited!

"Thank you, Headmaster, for saving Godrey's Mistress," Godrey said gratefully as the door came to a close, bringing Albus back. "Godrey will admit to doubting-"

"It's quite all right, Godrey, you have a right to be wary of strangers, given today's events," Albus turned and smiled at the Elf. "Events that Ronald was not exactly forthcoming about…"

The Elf's eyes widened in realization, there was another reason as to why Albus had followed Godrey out. "It… has been a long day, Headmaster-"

"Then, come and sit with me," Albus' smile widened, while the Elf's face fell. "I am an excellent listener, I promise!"

---

Friday 19th March, 1994 (Travers Manor – After Midnight)

Ronald finally arrived as Albus finished pouring three goblets, Godrey had gone the extra mile in order to celebrate their victory.

"Are you sure your Mistress won't mind?" Albus asked, beckoning Ronald over. He looks refreshed, which isn't surprising given Fawkes' voice. Good, as tonight might be my only chance to talk him out of leaving Hogwarts.

"Mistress only has a taste for foreign spit," Godrey shook his head, disappointed. I like him, he's not as brittle as he looks. "The cellar belongs mostly to Godrey and the staff, Mistress is generous to those who demonstrate loyalty and restraint."

"That does sound like her," Ronald nodded to himself. "She's looking a lot better, by the way. Thank you again, Headmaster. I'll tell her of what you did."

"Don't forget about Fawkes," Albus added, making Ronald laugh for a change. That's better! Laugh more, smile even when it all feels impossible! Laughter is armour, and you're going to need it more than most, my friend.

"Of course, I won't forget about Fawkes," Ronald hovered between Albus and Godrey. "Lovely singing voice, shame her room is silenced. It would put her guards at ease, they're out for blood." They want to prove something, which is dangerous to me like us.

"Does Ron wish to sit in the middle?" Godrey asked, looking between the two wizards.

"No… I don't want to sit," Ronald replied. "I need to walk about, so hand me some bread, please. I want the one at the bottom, the hot one."

With a snap of Godrey's fingers, they all had plates full of warm bread and fine cheese; a simple but filling dinner. "Rye bread with Parmigiano-Reggiano."

"And the wine?" Albus asked, eyeing the garnet bottle.

"A Chianti Godrey ordered before…" the Elf trailed off.

"I'll pour," Albus said, doing so with a flick of his hand.

Ronald wasted no time in digging into his meal, shooting mistrustful looks at the bottle of Chianti as he paced back and forth. "This cheese is really good, Godrey. Cheers."

"Here, try it," Albus offered Ronald a goblet.

"Were they out of cauldrons?" Ronald asked, eyeing the large size of the goblet.

"I am in the mood to celebrate," Albus replied, smiling proudly when Ronald accepted the goblet. "Now, to enjoy a Chianti-"

Ronald threw his head back, placed the goblet to his lips, and as if the Chianti were pumpkin juice; the redhead swigged the wine down in one go right in front of Godrey and Albus' horrified eyes. Why would you do that to a such a fine Chianti?! Good heavens, my boy!

"Godrey… is speechless…" Godrey muttered under his breath. "Such a waste…"

"Ronald, what was that?!" shocked laughter roared out of Albus, silencing the other two. "We're not drinking to forget, dear boy!"

Ronald smiled lazily and wiped his lips clean, shrugging. "It's how my friends and I usually do it, helps ignore the bitterness." I'm going to ignore that; I don't feel up to being a Headmaster tonight.

"The taste, you mean?" Albus had one last chuckle, before steadily regaining his breath. "That was unacceptable, Godrey is in shock, Ronald. Look at him."

"Can I have pumpkin juice, now?" Ronald smirked at the gobsmacked Elf, earning himself a deadpan look.

"Did Ron at least enjoy it?" Godrey asked eventually. "Did the flavours jump out?"

"Oh, yeah, they did a whole jig too," Ronald grinned, all too pleased with himself.

Albus found himself feeling quite content as he properly enjoyed his portion, watching the back and forth between Ronald and Godrey reminded him of his younger days. Most of my friends are gone, now, Still, I'm a lucky man to have the few I still do. Too many can't claim the same.

"Godrey will get Ron pumpkin juice," Godrey relented, looking to Albus.

"Thanks, don't worry if it's not fresh, it can't be worse than this stuff," Ronald kept grinning at Godrey; his good mood putting Albus at ease.

"Ron and Mistress have both lost their sense of taste, it appears," Godrey reported to Albus, who chuckled from behind his goblet. "Must be all the fighting, it has left both addled in the mind."

"He will learn to enjoy it, but for now, perhaps pumpkin juice is enough," Albus said, placing his goblet on the table. "Take your time, Godrey. I wish to have words with Ronald."

"Of course, Headmaster," Godrey said, taking one last look at the bottle and shaking his head. "Disgrace…"

Godrey Apparated with nary a sound, taking his dinner with him.

"I don't think I'll be getting any juice any time soon," Ronald said, moving over and taking Godrey's seat. "Are you sure he can drink all that wine? With his size, I imagine he'll be drunk for the remainder of his life. He could barely hold his cup upright."

"I'm more interested in how you feel, my boy," Albus said, pouring what little was left in the bottle into Ronald's goblet. "I'm surprised you kept it all down."

"It's not half as bad as the Nutrition Potion, I'll give it that," Ronald said, staring at the red liquid. "But it looks like blood… I don't like it."

"I'll have to ask the Hogwarts Elves to never serve cranberry juice again," Albus chuckled, while Ronald enjoyed a smaller sip. "Well? What about now?"

"It's not really sweet, but it's nice," Ronald replied, clearly too young to properly enjoy a good wine. "Do you like it?"

"I certainly do, my boy," Albus replied, tracing his finger over his bread and slicing it open. "When I was a young man, about your age, I would often question why my mother drank so often-"

"Oh, shit, it's one of those conversations," Ronald muttered under his breath, straightening up. "Ahem, go on."

Albus laughed; he always found his conversations with Ronald to be refreshing, mostly because the young Slytherin did not feel intimidated by the Supreme Sorcerer. They were equals whenever they spoke; friends.

"She didn't have the privilege to taste fine wines, like I do," Albus continued, still preparing his meal. "She drank to forget, Ronald. She wanted to forget about the girl in the basement, my sister… I don't blame her; I should have been more supportive, instead of focusing on my own glory-"

"You can't change the past, Headmaster," Ronald interjected, playing with his food. "Tonight, I'm just grateful that you are who you are, because I couldn't have saved my friend without you. Thank you… for always being kind to me… Even when I don't deserve it."

"It's not about what one deserves," Albus explained. "Kindness is kindness because it is given freely, without witness or reward. What makes you say that you don't deserve it, my boy? Because you have stumbled and lost your way? Because you have been forced to commit terrible acts in an effort to prevent greater horrors? I understand that great change cannot come without loss, I understand it more than most… It is not a burden you should be forced to endure alone, Ronald. That is why I am kind to you, because you do deserve it, even if you've convinced yourself otherwise."

Albus then raised his goblet, toasting Ronald.

"To all your good works, Ronald," Albus reminded his friend that he had also displayed kindness many-a-times. "And to the Mistress of this manor, who will no doubt thank you the moment she's up and about. Because you were kind, today, Ronald, and you were very brave."

"I suppose, I was…" Ronald said, nodding to himself. "You know, I was worried about letting Couture just walk away, even after she got sick… But now, I think I did the right thing, and that does feel good… I saved what could be saved, like you mentioned."

"I'm proud of you, Ronald," Albus said, Godrey had shared his disagreements with Ronald's act of mercy, but Albus couldn't have been happier to hear of it.

"Thanks, that means a lot coming from you," Ronald smiled to himself, at peace with his decision. "I'm still going to leave Hogwarts… That hasn't changed." But we need you, dear boy.

"I'm more than happy to take you to the Burrow, tonight," Albus started. "You can start your Easter break early, and use that time to reconsider-"

"I don't feel like I belong there," Ronald came out and said it. "I tried my best, but that place… It's just…" Ronald shook his head, letting out a frustrated groan. "I can do so much more, but I'm trapped inside a castle full of children… Always gossiping, always wasting time, always whining about everything… I can't stand it anymore. People like Thaddeus and Priscilla need me, while my schoolmates have made it very clear that I'm not like them. I'm done pretending, that's all, really."

"What of your Housemates?" Albus asked. "What of your friends?"

"My Housemates hate me," Ronald confessed, it hurt to hear how convinced he was of it. "And my friends… They hurt me… They constantly let me down, they never listen to what I have to say until they need something from me, and only Daphne really cares for me… She's the only one who walks the extra mile for me… But lately, even she's being a fucking tart about everything-"

"Ronald-"

"Sorry…" he apologized, rubbing his forehead until there were marks. "I shouldn't talk about her like that; she's just scared to death, and she's used to me coming up with clever answers, but I don't have any this time around… I've got nothing, and I feel as though she's punishing me for it…"

"Have you told her of the Sacred Tree?" Albus asked, and Ronald shook his head. "Sometimes, even a shimmer of light can help us find our way out of the dark. Give her a reason to not be afraid, and her outlook will change accordingly."

"It's false hope, though," Ronald countered. "Even I'm not sure about this, I don't even know what I'm walking into." Me neither; should I owl Asmodeus and discuss terms myself? No… It would undermine Ronald, and I doubt Asmodeus will give me anything. He has turned down mighty Ministers and sick children alike, I doubt anyone can change his mind at this point.

"I wish I could help, but I myself know very little," Albus admitted. "Asmodeus changed after his appointment, he began to distance himself from me. From all the Headmasters and Headmistresses, in fact. I thought he would break away from Ilvermorny's usual isolation, but whatever secrets lie within that mountain; they changed him. Turned him cold."

"What about his fingers? Do you know anything about that?" Ronald asked, and Albus blinked. "His missing fingers?"

"A Herbology accident; a Vampire-Plant ate them, I believe," Albus replied. "He mentioned it in passing, I didn't pay it any mind."

"The previous Headmaster was also missing two fingers, and the one before that, and the one before that," Ronald said, making Albus think back. "Always the same two fingers, Headmaster… That doesn't strike you as strange? Fucking creepy, even?"

"Well, it does now," Albus answered, stroking his beard in thought. "It is not uncommon to find Herbologists with missing digits, Pomona truly is a rare talent, partly why I hired her in the first place was due to the number of fingers she had. Why would Asmodeus lie to me? I am his friend, and he has asked for my advice more times than I can count."

"He lied because there's something going on deep inside that mountain, something fucked and disgraceful," Ronald said, unfiltered as ever. "I'm going to find out what he's hiding, and if it's something I can't stomach, then I'll destroy whatever power sustains the tree."

"What does that mean?" Albus asked, curious. "What of the school? I do know one thing for certain, Ronald; the Sacred Tree is vital to Ilvermorny Castle. Hence its name. It acts as a conduit, channelling the Earth's Magic safely throughout the Grey Mountain. Its nourishing roots have a longer reach than you realize; destroying the tree means condemning the entire mountain, and all life on it, to starvation. Or, worse, you could cause an imbalance in the Magical Forces at play, which could sunder the entire mountain. There is a reason why Sites of Power are so unknown to us, even now. The consequences of interfering are too great!"

"The High Mother has already told me of the tree's importance," Ronald said, undeterred. "If its power comes from Dark Magic, then it's going to burn."

"The High Mother is not to be trusted," Albus said, and Ronald cocked an eyebrow. I fully intend to speak to her about what she put you through. It was unacceptable and cruel.

"Why?" Ronald asked. "She was rather pleasant and helpful today."

"She is a powerful dictator who has grown bored of her throne," Albus advised. "When I was a younger man, she took an interest in me as well. She requested that Fawkes and I perform for her Ivory Court, in celebration of her daughter's birth. Later in the evening, when I was drunk and failing to find my quarters, I overheard that she had several of her 'friends' poisoned during my performance, while they were distracted and felt safe because of my presence. Two weeks after giving birth, she murdered over a dozen of her own. My performance was nothing more than a pastime for her, the real show was watching her rivals enjoy their last supper. If she has come to you with this information, it is because she has a game in mind, and you're playing a part, now."

"I will be playing her executioner, if she isn't careful," Ronald laughed, freezing Albus. "She can play her games, but if she pisses me off; I'll have Artyom cut her open from cunt to brain." Good heavens!

"Would that please you?" Albus asked, not hiding his disappointment.

"No, it wouldn't, because I like her; she was good to me," Ronald replied. "But I'd still do it."

"Why…?"

"Because I can't afford to have a 'bored dictator' crawling up my arse for her entertainment," Ronald explained, looking flabbergasted. "When will you understand that I can't afford to fail my Cycle?! Fuck the rest of the world, think of me for a change! I've told you what happens to me if we fail!"

"We are not going to fail-" Albus tried.

"Yes, we are, just fucking look around for a bit," Ronald grit out. I'm agitating him. "Cunts are dying in the fucking streets! It's the fucking end times out there!" That's a little dramatic, but he's not entirely wrong, either.

"Is this why you wish to leave Hogwarts?" Albus asked, speaking more gently. "You want to focus on good works?"

The gentle approach worked, as Ronald seemed to pull himself together after a few moments of silent contemplation. "I'm leaving because I don't belong. And… Mum and dad are always asking me to visit, maybe it'll be nice to spend more time with them… I don't know…" He sounds confused, but most of all; he sounds as though he's running away. As though he's ashamed of something.

"Who upset you, Ronald?" Albus asked calmly. "Tell me their name."

"What? You're going to break their knees?" Ronald rolled his eyes. "You think I care about their opinions of me? They're fucking apes, the lot of them." I hit a nerve; it seems. That was quite… easy. Not surprising, however, he just wants to be heard most of the time. He's a teenager.

"So, I am correct," Albus said. "You are upset, and rather than face whoever is upsetting you, your plan is to return to the Burrow. It's a good plan, it'll definitely save you an awkward confrontation-"

"Will you give it a rest?" Ronald sighed out. "I'm not running away… I just need a break."

"Fantastic! You can have two weeks!" Albus beamed. "After that, I expect you back at Hogwarts-"

"Fucking end me…" Ronald groaned. "Why are you doing this?"

"You are needed at Hogwarts," Albus replied, and the redhead scoffed at the thought. "I need you. Severus needs you. Your study group needs you. The Slytherins need you. Your friends need you. You have started great things, Ronald; it would be a shame to leave them unfinished."

"This is why I was going to leave without telling anyone…" Ronald spoke to himself. "I'm not some idiot, I know what I need, and right now; I need some peace. I need to focus on what's ahead, because if you think about it; that's what's most important, now. Not bloody sitting around all day, trapped inside a room until the day is finished."

"What about what we're fighting for?" Albus asked. "What is the future without the present?"

"Hogwarts is special to me, but's it's just a Magical Castle…" Ronald replied. "Out there, that's where the real fight is. Hogwarts is a safe place, hidden from the problems of the world, but I want to face those problems. I can't do that from fucking Scotland, the arse-end of nowhere. I've made up my mind, and if you know me, then you might as well stop." I can't force him to stay, but maybe I can buy myself more time to build a better argument? I don't like the idea of him being out there on his own. Without guidance, he'll become angrier than ever as he sees more and more of our world… He'll become resentful.

"I can see that you've given this a great deal of thought," Albus began, quickly coming up with an alternative. "So, I will grant you leave, on the conditions that your homework, and other such assignments, be sent to you via owl. You are to complete your work in a timely manner and return it to Hogwarts for marking, and I will personally speak to your teachers about this new arrangement." Aside from serving as an anchor to Hogwarts, this will also allow him stay with his year mates, should he refuse to return until the start of the next school year. The exams we can worry about later. "However, during your break; you are to give my words some proper thought, Ronald. I am worried that you are not thinking clearly, which isn't to say that I don't understand you. If you believe that you need a break, then I will do whatever I can to help you."

"So, what? You're suddenly onboard?" Ronald asked, suspicious.

"Like you said, I can't change your mind," Albus smiled, and Ronald nodded slowly. "At the moment."

"Oh, for… Fine…" Ronald leaned back in his chair, giving in. "If this is what it takes, then sure… Send me a dozen owls a week, I can deal with that. Now, can we please just enjoy some of this bread and cheese? It's gone to shit waiting on us… And where's Godrey? Is he growing the goddamn pumpkin for its juice?"

Albus relented, somewhat discouraged by Ronald's decision, but more so with his own failure to dissuade the Slytherin. Severus and I acted too late. I will need to inform everyone at breakfast, tomorrow. Just so no one worries about a missing student. I doubt his friends know of his plans, this will be difficult for them, but they'll see him soon enough. I hope they can succeed where I failed, or at least, help me nudge the scale-

"You're plotting right in front of me," Ronald said bluntly, staring at Albus. "I'm literally sitting right here."

"Plotting, my boy?" Albus looked up, smiling.

"You were eye-fucking your bread instead of eating it," Ronald pointed out. "Lost in your thoughts?"

"Just wondering how everyone will take the news, that's all," Albus kept his smile, watching Ronald's expression falter. "You can't just vanish, now, can you? I will need to address the entire school; it'll make my life a lot easier to boot."

"No one will care…" Ronald returned to being distant. "Most will be glad about it in the long run. You'll see."

---

Ginny Weasley's POV

Friday 19th March, 1994 (The Great Hall – Breakfast)

Ginny ate her toast in a huff, making sure that the twins knew that she was upset with them. They ignored her, for the most part, but their friends weren't so immune to Ginny's ways.

Both Angelina and Alicia were shooting her awkward smiles; they were close to cracking. Ginny was beyond adorable already, but with her Enchanted bracelet equipped; she was now beautiful enough to get whatever she wanted. I'm going to have to take it off soon. Madam Pomfrey keeps eluding to it being the only way to accept what happened… But what if I want to keep it-?

"Merlin, George, something is clearly upsetting her!" Alicia broke, and the twins groaned. Finally! "Don't be a prat to your sister, it's not attractive, despite what you boys usually think!" She's a bit loud… Does she always shout like she's on the pitch?

"She's acting," George rolled his eyes.

"Am not!" Ginny said defiantly. "You're ignoring Ron! I told you that he's upset, and you don't even care!"

"Is that true, Fred?" Angelina asked, looking bothered.

"What?! No!" Fred blurted out, frowning at Ginny. "We're not ignoring Ronniekins; he wants to be left alone, which is quite obvious if you just take a look at the Slytherin table. If anything, we're biding by his wishes."

"You two don't happen to know where he disappears off to, do you?" Angelina asked, and even Ginny's ears perked up. "Merlin, you do! You have to tell us!"

"We don't know anything of the sort," George scoffed. "We tried to follow him, but he's sharp. Vanishes whenever he thinks anyone is-"

"Stop lying," Ginny gave her brother a knowing look. "You two know every secret within this castle, you've known where he is all along." I just don't understand why you won't tell us!

"Ginny, we're not going to tell you anything that Ron hasn't," Fred said, finality in his voice. "Things are good between us three right now, and George and I want to keep it that way."

"So much for making up a story…" George sighed out.

"No, we shouldn't need to lie," Fred said, giving Ginny a stern look. Don't act like you're dad, it's so patronising. "He wants to be left alone, that's why he's not here. That's why he hasn't been seen outside of his classes since… How long has it been, now?"

"After he came back, from his trial and sui-…" Alicia trailed off, making them all go quiet. "I should stop right there, huh?"

"Probably for the best," George agreed awkwardly, drawing in a deep breath. "Look, we're not ignoring him, but he's a really busy lad. I mean, proper busy, Ginny, like you wouldn't understand just yet. He has a magazine to run, a business which happens to be taking off really quickly. Everyone we know is subscribing to The Quibbler, and it could one day be on par with bigger magazines like Witch Weekly. Can you even imagine how much money Ron would be making, then? He doesn't need to study ever again, honestly. He's set the entire family up for life, if mum and dad ever grow up and accept that we've grown up too. Oh, and I think he's still planning to participate in Professional Chess. And… from what Professor McGonagall was willing to share; he's doing exceptionally well in her class."

"Hard woman to crack," Fred recalled, and George nodded in agreement. They've been thorough… Wow, that's really… sweet.

"You even went to McGonagall?" Angelina asked, smiling at Fred.

"He's our little brother, and we have our own way of showing that we care," Fred said, also melting Ginny's heart with his response. "Only sometimes, though."

"Emphasis on the 'sometimes'," George added, shooting Alicia a wink.

"He's skipping his morning runs, though," Ginny told them, still not fully convinced yet. "He never skips those, never! And I spoke to Greengrass this morning; she's terribly worried about him. She didn't give me much, being a Slytherin and all, but I could tell, Georgie… Please? Something's wrong, I know it!"

Fred and George exchanged looks, but before they could come to an agreement; breakfast was interrupted by the sound of glass being tapped with a spoon.

"May I have your attention, please?" Dumbledore addressed them, standing behind the Owl Lecturn, an owl-shaped Magical podium. "I will save the parting speech for the Easter Feast, it is going to be fantastic, I am told-"

Most students began cheering at that, making the old wizard chuckle heartily while his Heads of Houses glowered in distaste. I do love his cooky speeches! He's incredibly funny, like a jolly old grandad! And the Easter Feast! Merlin, I can't wait! Ron will definitely come, even he wouldn't miss it for anything!

"Silence, let the Headmaster speak!" McGonagall was the first to scold her House, as she generally was.

"I'm glad to see you all in such a merry mood today," Dumbledore smiled, looking at each and every one of them. "However, I'm afraid I have some rather unwelcome news to share with all of you, and so, I apologize in advance for dampening your spirits at this early hour." What unwelcome news?

Ginny didn't know why, but she knew it had something to do with her big brother… The feeling hit her like an ironclad punch, and she could only stare in dread as the Headmaster's eyes landed on her and the twins. No… Don't say something horrible, please…

"Ronald Weasley has decided to leave these walls behind, and late last night, I escorted him back to his parents," Dumbledore announced, there was a hollowness in his voice that resonated with the feelings building up inside Ginny. "He wishes to be home-schooled, in order to better manage his time and illness. I know all of you are mature enough to understand Ronald's decision. Thank you, and please do enjoy your last day of term."

Dumbledore moved off of the podium at that, finishing his address rather unceremoniously. As Ginny looked to the twins, her jaw hanging, the Great Hall returned to its usual noise. They're all gossiping already, the bloody vultures!

"Fred? George?" Ginny was already feeling overwhelmingly impatient, and terribly scared. "He really just left…? What are we going to do?!"

"Bloody hell, what a proper mess," Fred frowned at his plate, while George looked more thoughtful than upset.

"I'm sorry, Fred," Angelina rubbed his arm comfortingly. Really? Is now the time for this?!

"It could be temporary," George tried, mostly for Ginny's sake. "Mum and dad might talk him out of it."

"But what if it's not? And why would they do that?" Ginny asked, she knew how badly her mother wanted to keep Ron close to her side. "And why didn't he ever mention he felt like leaving-?"

"Did any of you know about this? Why didn't you tell me?" Percy was suddenly looming over them, standing over Angelina and Fred's shoulders. "Fred? George?"

"Piss off, we didn't know anything," Fred shot a frown back. "Why are you acting like we're hiding things from you? Can't you see we just found out ourselves?"

"Stop being a prat, Percy," George shook his head, gesturing Percy to sit down. "None of us knew, now, sit down and let's figure out why he'd leave so suddenly."

"Take a look at his friends," Alicia pulled at George's robes.

In perfect unity, they all turned their eyes towards Ron's friends; they had returned to their breakfast as if nothing had changed. They knew?! Oh, Greengrass, you lying bitch!

"Didn't you mention speaking to Greengrass this morning?" George asked Ginny, but before she could answer; the Golden Trio rushed to occupy the empty seats to her left and right, leaving her trapped between Harry and Hermione.

"Did you lot know about this?" Hermione asked, looking terribly anxious.

"No, we just found out as well," Percy replied, sitting down. "Why would he do this? It makes no sense; he can't have a proper job without -"

"Job?" Alicia looked to George, while Ginny shook her head at Percy. Sometimes, I really want to slap Percy. I wonder if this is why the twins pick on him so much. No, they're just prats as well, but of a different sort.

"It's his way of saying that he's worried," George rolled his eyes. "He's a bloody lizard wearing human skin, am I right, Fred?"

"Yes," Fred agreed without hesitation.

"That's just cruel, you two," Ginny frowned, while Percy looked unphased.

"Shouldn't we be figuring out why Ron's decided to leave?" Harry asked, he looked stern enough to make even Percy agree silently. "Let's start by sharing our last conversation with him. Now, last time I had a proper chat with him; it was… Monday! When we went running. He was in a foul mood, remember?"

"He was, but his leg was hurt, and his mood improved after the run," Neville said, and Harry nodded. "I haven't really spoken to him properly in a while, now that I think about it…"

Neville trailed off, a thoughtful look on his thinning face. What? Did you remember something? Why did you stop?

"Neville? Hello?" Angelina waved at him.

"Go on, Neville," Ginny urged, while Harry nudged him.

"I haven't spoken to him in a while, which is not something friends should say, right?" Neville asked, going quiet. Oh…

"Well, to be fair to you, he's not exactly easy to pin down," Fred said, giving Neville a subtle smile. "Don't look so glum, mate, he's just gone back home to mum's cooking."

"We'll see him soon, regardless," Harry said, and Neville gave a weak nod.

"Hermione, didn't you leave with him on Wednesday? After the Potions Club?" Percy remembered, and everyone immediately looked to the startled genius.

"Um… No?" Hermione replied very slowly, clearly thinking of some lie.

"Hermione… This is important to us," Ginny whispered, giving her a meaningful look. "If you know something, you should tell us."

Hermione looked around her, shrinking a little as she shook her head. What?!

"He was… Oh, I don't think I should…" Hermione murmered weakly.

"Why the hell not?!" Fred demanded, making Hermione flinch.

"Don't shout at my friend," Ginny was quick to defend Hermione, as she was a lot more used to dealing with the infamous Weasley temper. "She doesn't have to tell you if she's not comfortable about it, so back off!" I'll have to ask her when we're alone, I think. Maybe at the study group? Wait… Is that even running, now that Ronnie's gone home?

"Fred, yelling isn't going to help anyone, least of all your brother," Alicia added before looking to Hermione, her tone much more understanding. "Hermione, Ronald might be your friend, but he's their sibling. Maybe it's more important-"

"No," Hermione refused, sounding surer of herself. "Ron doesn't enjoy people talking behind his back, and I'm not going to keep doing it. Instead, I'm going to go write him a letter and tell him that he has my… support… Ginny? Do you want to come with me?" Perfect timing-!

"Not so fast, you slippery bunch!" Percy suddenly shot out of his seat, his eyes still on Ron's mates. "His friends are making to leave, excuse me."

Percy was the first to start heading after Ron's friends, who had nearly reached the exit without being noticed, followed by the twins and the rest of them. Ginny tried her best to get more out of Hermione along the way, but shockingly; Hermione ignored her outright, still lost in her thoughts with a perplexed expression marring her features. Whatever she's thinking, I just hope she shares it with me. Hermione has a tendency to put her foot in her mouth, and knowing Ron; she might end up eating his fist too.

They finally caught up to the Slytherins by the Moving Staircase; they were making for the Dungeons as if they were being chased. Are they also in the dark about this? No, of course not. He would tell them, at least. Right?

"Daphne!" Percy called out, stopping all of them. "Can I please talk to you for a minute?"

The Slytherins all stopped in unity, with Greengrass being the first to turn around; her icy expression put even Percy on-guard. "What can I do for you, Percy? I assume you want to know why Ron's left?" I've seen her with Ron, so I know this 'Ice-Queen' tripe is just an act… Still, why is she such a bitch to the rest of us? What's her problem?

"You can start by telling us why our brother left the bloody castle in the dead of night!" Fred replied, still loud as ever. "Did you know about this-?!"

The Slytherins turned to leave immediately, which earned Fred a strong smack from his twin. "Can you calm down for one bloody second, you damn git! You're making things harder!" Merlin… Did George just-?

"Forgive my brother, he has always been ill-mannered," Percy tried, and only Greengrass stopped.

"Daphne, this isn't our problem," Nott whispered, but just loud enough that they all heard him. "The bell will ring soon, and I'm a very slow writer… Can we please hurry along?"

"You should all go, write your letters and send them," Greengrass instructed her friends, and unsurprisingly, they wasted no time in leaving her behind. Okay… Maybe they didn't know, either. They're all rushing to write to him… That's actually very sweet… "Percy, I'm only going to talk to you if the obnoxious one leaves."

"Me?" Fred blinked, and then, he began glaring. "No, I'm not going anywhere-"

"I don't like you, and honestly, I can barely stand your twin as well," Greengrass said, and the twins exchanged slow looks. "I find you both immature and cruel, and I don't plan to waste my breath on you. If you leave, I'll talk." Wow… Really? What does Ron even see in her? And is she just kind to him so she can keep him to herself?

"Hello, everyone!" came a familiar voice from behind them, cutting all the tension. Luna?! Merlin, where were you?! "Are we discussing Ron? I have some thoughts too, but I was hoping to talk to Daphne, first." Daphne?

"Um… Why her?" Ginny asked, unable to hide her possessiveness of Luna.

"Because she knows Ron best," Luna smiled up at Greengrass. "Can I please talk to you? I'm scared for my brother."

They all went quiet, mostly because her words brought all their true feelings to the surface. They were all scared for Ron, in their own way, and whether they liked each other or not; it didn't change the fact that Ron hadn't felt the need to speak to any of them about his departure. Does… Does Ron not love us, anymore?

Ginny couldn't help but feel as though she was losing him all over again, and that terrified her more than anything; she couldn't go through the loneliness again. This time, she would be left utterly broken by it, and no amount of love and patience would be able to glue the pieces back together.

"Of course, Luna," Greengrass smiled softly, her dark blue eyes fixed on the younger witch.

"Why did Ron leave?" Luna asked, and they all looked to Greengrass. "And why wouldn't he tell us anything?"

"He left because he wants to, and he didn't tell us because he doesn't need to," Greengrass replied.

"That's not really an answer…" Hermione pointed out rather meekly. Why is she being so quiet? What happened between her and Ron?

"It is," Luna stopped Hermione, much to Ginny's chagrin. "Will Ron come back? Do you know?"

"I don't, I only just found out that he's gone as well," Greengrass replied, the fact that her tone remained indifferent was really getting to Ginny.

"Is he angry with us?" Luna asked, a question on everyone's mind.

"If he were, you would be the first to know it," Greengrass replied. "I believe he didn't tell us anything because he didn't want us to talk him out of it. He wanted to leave, and when Ron wants something; it's already his. If you are all after my advice, then listen well. Do not go back to home until Sunday." What? Why?

"Would that really be so bad?" Harry asked, moving ahead and stopping next to Percy. "Whenever I'm upset, I like having my friends around… Why would it bother him if, I don't know, Ginny went to see him?" Yes, answer that!

"He left by himself because he didn't want to see us, Potter," Greengrass explained calmly. "So, if Ginevra chases him down in order to satisfy her own curiosity, what do you think his reaction will be? He expects to see you all on Sunday, when this term ends, so wait until Sunday. Don't barge into his life when he wants to be left alone, you need to learn to approach Ron on his terms. And no, that's not fair, I know, but Ron is not always fair. No one is."

With that, Greengrass gave Luna a genuine smile, lighting a jealous fire in Ginny's belly. You and your brat of a sister need to leave Luna alone. Neither of you should be influencing her to be more like you! We don't need more Greengrasses running about and being horrible to everyone!

"Ron would never want to scare you, Luna, especially you," Greengrass said, some actual emotion in her voice. "Send him a letter, tell him how much you love him, and then on Sunday, you can ask him all of your questions in person. Until then, please, just be patient with him. He's…" she trailed off.

"He's what?" Neville asked, his eyes darting to Hermione.

"He's suffered, Longbottom," Greengrass finished, going back to being cold. "When you find a cornered animal, it's not wise to try and pet him. Ron won't bite your hand, of course, but he'll break every bone in your body and fix you right up so he can do it again." Ron would never do that, but you would, that's why you're saying these things about him!

"You're a liar!" Ginny had had enough. "Ron isn't some… Some monster!"

Oddly enough, Greengrass gave Ginny a slightly perplexed look, as if studying her. "You're angry with me? Why? I thought you and I had a very pleasant conversation this morning, Ginevra. Could it be that you're scared, and unlike Luna; you have little to no control over your emotions? I thought you were finally growing up, but here we are-"

"Let's not get distracted," Percy stepped in to negotiate, while Ginny clenched her jaw; ready to give to Greengrass.

"No, I want to know why she's so hostile towards me," Greengrass said icily, looking down at all of them. "I've been very understanding towards you, Ginevra, given what you were put through, but my patience for your abhorrent behaviour has come to an end. The next time you speak to me in this tone, I will leave you to your brother."

The thought of being disciplined by an angry Ron did frighten Ginny a little, Ron was extremely powerful and intimidating, but Ginny knew that her brother would never choose some snotty Heiress over his flesh and blood.

"Go on, then," Ginny challenged, but Greengrass simply shook her head. "You really think he'll break my bones? What world are you living in?" Slytherins… Most of them are just delusional, I'm sure of it.

Greengrass said nothing, her icy stare going right through Ginny. "You'll regret those words on Sunday, I promise."

---

Daphne Greengrass' POV

Friday 19th March, 1994 (The Slytherin Common Room – Breakfast)

Daphne hadn't made it back before breaking into tears, rushing through the entrance as she sobbed into her hands. They're both gone! They're both just gone!

She had no idea how she had been able to keep it together so far, but the moment Albus Dumbledore had shattered her world with just a few words; Daphne had found herself filled to the brim with dread and heartache. Both of her best friends were gone, now; leaving a hole where her heart used to be. And Ginevra! That wretched brat! Glaring murder at me and screaming at me, all the while demanding I give her and her foolish brothers advice!

Daphne screamed, unable to hold it all in anymore. Everything had fallen apart in just a couple of months, every struggle they had endured side-by-side hadn't been enough to keep them together in the end, and that hurt more than anything. He promised me that we'd all stay together… Merlin… How hurt is Ron that he would just leave?

"Daphne?!" Blaise came running first, wand in hand, followed by Theo and Malfoy, and then Pansy and Millie.

They all stopped when they saw her, all of her inner turmoil out in the open. It was embarrassing, and it cut her pride to shred, but she couldn't stop crying.

"He left…" she finally fell to her knees, hugging herself but feeling frozen to the bone. "He left me…"

"Oh, Daph, come here," Pansy was by her side in an instant, hugging her so tightly that it hurt.

"I failed him, Pansy… I failed him all over again!" Daphne buried her face into Pansy's neck, she had no right to show her face to her friends anymore. "I pushed him… I kept pushing him, and now, he's gone! I told him he made me miserable! That he made us all miserable! How could I say that to him?! It's all my fault!"

"Hush!" Pansy sniffled, clearly holding back her own tears for Daphne's sake. "Don't say that, don't ever say that!"

"He must be hurting… so much…" Daphne coughed out. "He… He would never… just leave…" Walking away must've torn his heart out, but he still went through with it?! What happened, Ron?! What pushed you to just walk in the dead of night?!

Daphne already knew the answer, however; she simply couldn't bring herself to start pointing fingers, not when she knew how hard things were about to get from here on out. They'll all be coming for us, now. 'Lord Flint', the Triumvirate, anyone who's had a problem with Ron! I… I need to get it together-

Another sob broke free, leaving her struggling for air as her body seized up from fear. What am I going to do? I'm nothing like Ron, how am I going to keep Flint away from Malfoy? He'll break my face in two!

"She's not breathing properly!" Pansy looked to the others for help. "I think she's panicking, like Ron does!"

"Daphne, you didn't do this… I… I did this…" Millie muttered, staring blankly at her crying best friends. "I broke his heart, didn't I…?"

"Yes, you bloody well did," Blaise said, not one to mince his words. "But the blame isn't just yours… We all knew what he was going through, and we didn't do anything about it. Not really. I can't believe I was harping on about my mother, while he must've been… Gods, I must've…" he trailed off, his eyes tearing up in realization.

"Are you saying we deserve this?" Malfoy asked, his voice low, almost as though he was ashamed.

"Why are you even here?" Theo asked in return, earning a cold look from Malfoy. "Ron's gone, now… You still plan to stick around?"

"Just leave him alone…" Daphne managed, her voice shaking. "Just stop it, please… Can't you see that none of this matters, now? Without Ron, he's got no one…" I've got no one, they're both gone! "What am I going to do? I can't keep Flint away from us, let alone protect the other Slytherins from his thuggish ways… What am I supposed to do, Ron?"

"What are we going to do?" Pansy corrected her, still holding onto Daphne for dear life. "You're not alone, Daphne, I'm here. And so are the others, we'll figure it out! I promise, just please stop crying! I can't bear to see you like this, it's not right!"

Pansy's words were touching, but no words could soothe her, now, but, perhaps, seeing Ron, hearing his confident voice and his infectious laughter, maybe that would be enough? I… I have to go see him… He needs me, that's all. Yes, that has to be it… That's why he left; he wants me to chase him…

Freeing herself from Pansy, Daphne made a run for the door; she could use Snape's fireplace before breakfast ended. Unfortunately, Theo was too bloody quick on his feet, and she found her path blocked.

"Daph, what are you doing?" Theo asked, looking jarred. "You just shoved Pansy! What's the matter with you?!"

"I have to go see him," Daphne blurted out, her lips twitching upwards. "He… He wants me to chase him, I get it, now! He wants to see if we still care about him! So, we have to show him, Theo! I have to show him that he will always mean the world to me, even if we're not together!"

"Okay…" Theo muttered, his scared eyes darting towards the others. "Any of you want to step in here? Please? Tell her why it's not a good idea to run away in such a state?" What? No! I understand, now! He needs me!

"Daphne, listen to me," Blaise pulled her aside, his grip was surprisingly gentle. "I get that you're feeling guilty, we all are… But Merlin, if you had a mirror right now… Just, come and sit with me, okay? I'll read you something-"

"I don't want to listen to your poetry!" Daphne nearly screamed again; her head was throbbing. "I want Ron to come back! I want Tracey to wake up! I just want things to go back to how they were! When we were all happy! Why are you stopping me?!"

"I know, and I'm not trying to stop you," Blaise spoke gently, wiping her eyes clear. "I want that too, Daphne. I want it so bad that it hurts to even think about it… But Daph, that's not how it works, and you know that. Please, stop crying, okay?"

"We'll do anything," Theo added, almost pleading. "Please, this isn't like you, Daphne." I don't want to be me! If I were anyone else, Ron wouldn't be so sad all the time! If I were anyone else, my parents wouldn't have cast me aside the day my sister was born! They barely ever write to me, while Astoria gets a new letter every single fucking day! What did I do to be so overshadowed by her?! I hate being Daphne Greengrass, the stupid and incompetent daughter of the most powerful man in Britain!

"Please, just come back to our room," Pansy pleaded, while Millie and Malfoy lingered quietly in the back. "Daphne, the other Slytherins will be here soon, they can't see us like this! Blaise, Theo, do something, please!"

"Right," Blaise gave a nod, deciding to take action, but just as he tugged at Daphne's arm, she viciously pulled herself away from him.

"I want to go see Ron! Don't touch me!" Daphne's face contorted with rage, making Blaise take a wary step back. "I'll have your hands removed, Zabini! Don't forget your place-!"

"I'm getting Godfather, she's completely lost it," Malfoy said, rushing past them very suddenly.

"Go! And fucking hurry!" Theo moved out of his way, but jumped back when Daphne tried to follow.

In an instant, her wand was out; aimed right at Theo's now terrified face.

"Daphne! NO!" Pansy screamed, while Blaise jumped further back out of instinct.

"Get out of my way, Nott," Daphne warned, her voice so unhinged that she was certain someone else was speaking through her. "You're not going to keep me from him-!"

A pair of strong arms suddenly seized her from behind, lifting her into the air just as Blaise ran up and snatched her wand away. NO! RON! LET GO OF ME!

"I'm sorry, Daphne, but this is for your own good," Millie cried out, carrying her screaming and thrashing friend back to their room.

"This is all your fault!" Daphne screamed at the top of her lungs, unravelling completely. "You and your accursed family! I'll destroy them both for what they did to him! I'll have you thrown in the Greengrass dungeons for the rest of your life! You fucking slavers! You disgusting degenerates! JUST LET ME GO TO HIM!"

"I'm sorry…" Millie kept repeating, but Daphne was done with her apologies. I should've let Ron beat you bloody! You all tore him away from me! You drove him mad with grief and humiliation, when all he wanted to do was help those even less fortunate than him! Why are you all so heartless wherever he's concerned?! I hate you!

---

William Weasley's POV

Friday 19th March, 1994 (The Burrow – Morning)

"Good morning!" Bill entered the kitchen, wearing a happy smile as always. "Mum? Do you need help with the cooking-?"

He stopped; the kitchen was entirely empty, even the pots weren't out of the cupboards yet. Um… Did I wake up too early? Bill checked his dented pocket watch, a gift from his father for graduating at the top of his year. Eight-thirty… Where are mum and Kirsten?

"Morning, Bill," came Kirsten's voice, as if she had been summoned. "Ready for another day behind your desk?"

Bill smirked, turning around to face her as she descended the stairs. "I am, actually. You looking forward to shovelling Dragon shit all day?"

"That's the best part about my job," Kirsten laughed, giving Bill a strong pat on the arm as she moved past him. Ow… She really ought to pay some mind to her strength. "Oh… Where's Mrs. Weasley?"

"She might've slept in?" Bill suggested. "Actually, no… I've known the woman my entire life, and she's never once failed to make us breakfast." This is very odd.

"I'll get the toast started," Kirsten shrugged, heading towards the stove. "Bill? Can you make those eggs, again? The ones you made last week? The spicy ones!" Merlin, I really miss Egypt sometimes.

"Oh? You liked them?" Bill asked, not moving. "Cooking has never been my forte, but-"

"Shut up, you're always helping your mother, and she says you're brilliant," Kirsten rolled her eyes, even as her smile never wavered. "C'mon, we'll both be late for work, and I'm starving!"

"Just give me a second, I need to check something, first," Bill said, closing his eyes and searching the house for his mother's warm and soothing presence.

But what he felt instead froze him down to his very bones; there was someone… something… evil lurking within the Burrow. Its Magic felt like rot and disease, seeping into the very walls of Bill's childhood home; reminding him of the damp and earthy scent of rotting wood.

"Oh, my God…" Bill muttered, trembling as he broke the connection. "What the hell was that…? That thing…?"

"Bill?" Kirsten called, her happy expression melting away. "What's happened? What's wrong?"

"There… There's something upstairs…" Bill whispered, his heart beating in his throat as he pulled out his wand. "Kirsten, get your fucking wand out, right now!"

She did so in a hurry, looking as panicked as him, now. "What do you mean there's something upstairs?" She doesn't know how to sense Magic? I'll teach her later, right now, we need to get the fuck out of this house! "Bill? Talk to me! Do you think something's happened to Mrs. Weasley?" Mum!

Like a bucket of ice-cold water, the realization that his mother was most likely missing because of this foul presence jolted Bill into action. Without a care for his own safety, he rushed up the stairs, barely stopping himself from shouting for his mother. Mum! It's got mum! I fucking know it! I'm coming, just hold on, please!

He could hear Kirsten at his heal, begging him to slow down and explain, but the fear of losing his mother was too much, and so; Bill ran and ran until he finally reached to source of this evil…

Whatever was haunting the Burrow, it was hiding inside Ron's room.

"Stop," Kirsten hissed, grabbing his wrist just as he went for the door. "Bill, you can't just rush in-"

"It has mum, don't you understand? It's why she wasn't downstairs," Bill tried to break free, but she was too strong for him, and with very little effort on her part; she kept him in place. Why didn't I feel her Magic?! Oh, no… No!

"Bill, what's gotten into you? I've never seen you so… scared," Kirsten was stunned.

"I've never felt power like this before…" Bill managed, his throat tightening up just as he opened his mind again. Oh, Gods! It's too strong here!

He broke the connection almost immediately; it was unbearable this close, and it made his mouth fill up with saliva as his stomach churned.

"Let's just take a second to think, maybe we should call the Order-" Kirsten started, but Bill was unable to stop himself.

A mixture of genuine curiosity and fear of seeing his loved ones hurt pushed Bill to make a terrible mistake, he used his wand to unlock and open the door before Kirsten could protest.

"You fucking idiot, why did you do that?" Kirsten clicked her tongue, but staying by his side all the same.

As the door swung open, they both aimed their wands ahead and peered into the room; the dread mounting.

"Honestly, you two, make more noise next time," his mother whispered from Ron's bed, leaving Bill's jaw hanging. What…? What the fuck…? I don't understand…

Bill didn't know what horror he had sensed before, but what he was witnessing now was nothing short of beautiful… And very confusing, to be honest. Ron was not only home before he was meant to be, but he was cuddled up next to their mother, still in a suit, clinging desperately to her arm in his sleep, just as he used to when he and Ginny were still toddlers.

"You nearly woke him, why are you both running around the house at this hour?" Molly asked, her brow furrowed. "William Weasley, do you need me to cook breakfast for you every morning? You're both grown, aren't you?"

"Mum… You're all right?" Bill heard himself mutter, relief washing over him like never before. Oh, my heart… My entire chest is hurting, I didn't even notice. Thank Merlin she's safe.

"I am all right, yes…" Molly replied slowly, finally studying the pair. "What's wrong, Bill? Kirsten?"

"Yeah, Bill…" Kirsten instead looked to him, frowning. "What's wrong? Do you mind explaining your episode?"

"Episode?" Molly blinked at her confused and scared son. "Oh, love, did you think I was hurt?"

Bill didn't answer, he couldn't peel his eyes away from Ron. It's him… That terrible Magic was coming from him. Drawing in a deep breath, Bill put on a smile for his mother's sake. "Sorry, mum, can't be too careful these days."

Molly smiled at that; she knew she could always count on her eldest. "I'm not hurt, I promise. And I'd cook you breakfast, but Ronnie… Well, he needs me, and I can't bring myself to move. Not even an inch." Is it really Ronnie, though? I'm starting to think it's not. It can't be. Why would his Magic be so… dark? So rotten?

"Wasn't he supposed to come home on Sunday?" Kirsten whispered to Bill. "Bill?" Who are you? And what have you done to my brother? "Um… Are you ignoring me?"

"No… No, I just… need a second," Bill whispered, feeling the urge to tie up the sleeping wizard.

"Out of breath? You ought to join Ronnie on his runs," Molly said encouragingly. Stop calling him that, that's not Ron, mum! Ron's Magic would never feel so tainted!

"Is he staying?" Kirsten asked, still studying Bill.

"Yes, he's staying," Molly's smile turned sorry. "Dumbledore brought him in late last night, your father and I spoke very briefly with the man. Ron's… He needs his family; he needs to be reminded that he's loved…"

"I don't understand," Bill blurted out. "He needs to be reminded that he's loved?"

"He didn't speak a word last night, but he wouldn't let go of me either, Bill…" Molly sounded almost happy about that. "And he cried… Merlin's beard, he cried until your father gave him the Sleeping Draught. He quickly fell asleep after that. I still don't know why he came home just before term ends, but I don't care… My baby needs me; he needs us all of us. Your father is coming home early tonight, and I'd like you two to do the same. I want to cook small portions of Ron's favourite meals, and I need you lot to help."

"Of course, anything you need, Mrs. Weasley," Kirsten agreed.

"Yeah, Mum… Sure…" Bill nodded along.

"Love, what's got you so shaken?" Molly asked, seeing through Bill's façade. "I'm okay, and so is Ron. He's been through a lot, but he'll be okay." I'm not even sure if he is one of us, but I should make certain before I say anything hurtful. Ron doesn't need to hear my doubts, they're so irrational as is.

And yet, he couldn't stop thinking about the fact that he couldn't sense his own mother's Magic, because Ron's Magic was, for lack of a better explanation, smothering anything good inside the Burrow, even as he slept. I wonder what his Magic feels like when he's active-

"We should get going," Kirsten said, finally looking away from Bill. "I'm happy he's home, Mrs. Weasley. I look forward to telling him about my work."

Molly smiled lovingly at Kirsten. "Thank you, Kirsty, and can you just call me Molly, please? We've talked about this."

"Yes, sorry, Molly," Kirsten scratched the back of her neck, letting out a nervous chuckle. "Do you want me to get Charlie, too…?" She mentioned that they had another fight a couple of days ago, I shouldn't let her go to him by herself.

"I can do that, Kirsten," Bill cut in, breaking himself out of his stupor. "I was going to see Sirius after work today, anyway. I'll grab Charlie on the way back."

"Oh, really?" Kirsten asked, almost sounding relieved. "Thanks, Bill…"

Molly and Bill exchanged subtle looks, but neither said anything. I'm going to rip Charlie's bloody ear off, he's throwing everything good in his life away over fucking pride.

Taking one last look at 'Ron', Bill decided to be on his way. He bid his mother a good day and left the room, stopping only when he was a bit further down the hallway. Fuck… It feels good to be out of that room. He felt a pang of shame at the thought of being afraid of his own little brother, but whenever he tried to remember Ron's Magic; it made his stomach twist painfully.

"Bill, what's wrong?" Kirsten asked, her hand suddenly on his shoulder. "You're acting very strange… Why were you staring at Ron like that?"

"Like what?" Bill asked quickly, turning around.

"You went mental, and you were harping on about some power you hadn't felt before," Kirsten reminded him, clearly out for an explanation.

"I… I just sensed Ronnie's Magic, and it took me by surprise," Bill quickly thought of a believable lie. "I didn't know he was home, I though a stranger had broken in."

"You sensed his Magic?" Kirsten cocked an eyebrow. "You can do that?"

"Everyone can, but most never learn about it," Bill told her, making her blink. "It's not exactly taught in any of the major schools, save for Uagadou, but we Curse-Breakers need to sense powerful Wards, and so we're all trained in the Art before being sent out into the field. Trust me, you don't want to spontaneously combust because you touched the wrong jar filled with some twisted bastard's remains."

"Did… Did that actually happen?" Kirsten asked, wide-eyed. Poor Sasha… I'll never forget her screams.

"No, of course not," Bill chuckled, never one to worry others. "I'm just scaring you."

"Prat," Kirsten frowned, though her lips quickly twitched into a half-smile. "So… Ron's got powerful Magic, does he? Not surprising, given everything we know about him." I don't think we know anything. Should I bring this up to dad? I should, shouldn't I? We can't take any risks-

"Are you coming?" Kirsten asked, she had already begun making her way down. "I'm actually late, now, so let's go. I'll just have to settle for a big lunch."

"Nonsense," Bill chased after her, deciding to worry about this later. "I'll make you some sandwiches, it'll take five minutes. You can't go to work on an empty stomach, Kirsten. You could get eaten by a Dragon if you're not quick on your feet!"

---

Ronald Weasley's POV

?

Ahead of him was an endless ocean, waves crashing upon the rocks like war drums. Above him, two bright blue moons worked to burn the darkness away, making the red sand beneath his feet glow, as if he were standing on a bed of lava. What a beautiful place, nothing like my world.

He had spent the entire night patrolling the beach, not caring that he was an eternity away from home. On this strange, yet tranquil, world, there were no Death Eaters. There were no Ministries, no Werewolves to protect, no battles to be won, and no responsibilities.

On this world, there was no Lord Voldemort, and that filled Ron with a sense of peace that he had all but forgotten. I wonder if there's any life here at all. I get the feeling that I'm all alone, which is just brilliant. I'm finally free of them all.

Smiling contently, Ron kneeled down and ran his fingers through the sand; he could build a life here. It wouldn't be hard; he was a wizard, after all, and quite a powerful one at that. I could build a small cabin nearby, spend every day admiring the ocean and bathing in the sun. Even my scars don't matter here. But what about food? There must be some animals about, right? Maybe I should explore further away from the beach come morning? Eh, why not? It'll be an adventure!

Chuckling at his silly thoughts, Ron dropped onto his back; spreading his arms and legs as he closed his eyes. The tide shouldn't touch me here, so I'll take a nap-…

Ron suddenly shot up, dusting his arse and shaking his head clear. What if falling asleep sends me back? I remember mum and dad, and I remember the Sleeping Draught.

"What if this is all just a dream?" Ron asked himself, the mere notion was distressing.

"It is a dream," a young voice rang out from behind him. "But that doesn't mean it's not real, Ron."

Ron turned around without hesitation; he could never hope to forget that sweet, innocent voice. So, it was an Elder who brought me here, after all. What a shame.

"Dream, right?" Ron asked, studying the little blonde boy, before peering into his bottomless blue eyes. "Did you bring me here?"

"No," Dream replied, smiling up at him. "You brought yourself here. You wished to escape your sins, and escape you have." I'll never escape those, mate. They're up here, always. I've just learnt to live with them.

"Are you telling me that I can travel to other worlds?" Ron scoffed; how absurd! "I can't even Apparate, anymore. This is just another show put on by your sister, no doubt to impress me. Or, more likely, scare me."

"And are you impressed?" Dream asked. "Or, are you scared?" A bit of both.

"Neither."

"You just lied to me," Dream giggled, jarring Ron a little with such a 'human' response. "Do you enjoy lying, Ron? You do it very often, even when you don't need to."

"I lie because no one will understand… this…" Ron said, gesturing all around them. "I don't even know where I am, all I know is that I never want to leave."

"Then, don't," Dream said, there was an unmistakable fondness behind that smile of his. "I can build you a palace here, right on this beach. The dominant species of this world is still primitive, you would be a God to them, with your knowledge and power."

"There are others here?" Ron didn't like the sound of that. "Of course… Peace really isn't in the cards for me, is it?"

"You can destroy them, if you instead wish it, I doubt they could stop you," Dream suggested. I would stop me, but you can't understand that, can you?

"Would that get you off?" Ron asked, bitterness seeping into his voice. "Why do you Elders, who have limitless power, bully us 'specks of sand', as your sister put it? Why? What do you even get out of this?"

"The strong survive, and the weak expire," Dream said simply. "There is no world that is exempt from this rule, not even this one."

"Shouldn't the strong protect the weak?" Ron challenged; he knew Dream was nothing like his sister, and that he wouldn't punish Ron for daring to speak his mind.

"If that is what they want," Dream replied. "The strong get to choose, that's why they're strong. They do not doubt. They do not waver. They do not search for an escape." Ah, I see… I need to go home, don't I?

"Is this why your sister brought me here?" Ron had to ask. "So, you could share this two-bit philosophy with me? We humans don't think like that. It's not just about who's strong, we all have a responsibility to those around us. If the strong keep devouring the weak, then what's left at the end of the day? Nothing. You can't understand that, because you're all-mighty. You have no responsibility. You can make reality into whatever pleases you on a whim. Don't act so fucking superior to me, you wouldn't last a day as a human being." Fuck, yes! Now, if I could only say that to Fate, that golden cunt!

"What makes you so certain that it was my sister who sent you here?" Dream asked, amused by Ron's rant, but ignoring it. Really? You piece of shit… "Why do you doubt yourself? You are the Void made manifest, now. You have become the apex predator of your Universe-"

"The what?!" Ron laughed coldly, even throwing his head back. "Apex predator? Me?! I don't know if you've been watching me, but if you have, then you know I'm no apex predator… Fucking Johan Abadie has a better claim to that title than I do!" I hate talking to these things… The shit they say is just unnerving. It's downright demented, actually.

"More doubts," Dream just kept smiling, putting Ron off even more. "If only you could see yourself as I do. I would give anything to make that dream come true."

"All right, what the fuck is your deal?" Ron demanded. "You don't behave anything like your sister, or, even the Entity. You… You act human."

"Or, you all act like me?" Dream countered, making Ron's heart jump to his throat. No, he's fucking with me. He has to be. We're nothing like any of them!

"I don't like these games, just leave me alone," Ron turned to leave. "You've disturbed my peace, and I doubt you have anything useful to share-"

"You should go see a Healer, Ron," Dream said, stopping Ron mid-step. What?

"Why?" Ron asked, turning around slowly. "What do you mean? Explain."

"Your time is running out," Dream tapped his temple, making Ron's heart sink. My time…?

"So… I'm really dying, then?" Ron asked, unsure of how he felt all of a sudden. "How much time do I have?"

"I don't know," Dream admitted. "The Change is coming." What? What does that mean?!

"You don't know?" Ron frowned, anger spilling through. "You're a fucking God! How can you not know something?!"

"The Void is beyond even my understanding," Dream smiled widely, as if proud of the young wizard. "You're new, Ron, unlike any other creature in all of Creation. It's all very exciting!"

"Exciting?" Ron felt his heart twist painfully. "Do you enjoy watching me suffer? You and your siblings? Is that what you do in your spare time? You tell me I'm dying with a happy smile on your face, and you wonder why I hate you… Fuck you, you little cunt."

Dream's smile slowly faded away, replaced with a sorry look. "I never said you were dying, Ron. There are fates far worse than death."

Ron blinked at that, a pit forming in his stomach as blurry visions of the Crimson Star bombarded his mind. Home…

"I think it's time for you to wake up, now," Dream said, smiling once again. "Be strong, Champion, and know that I am always with you, deep within your dreams."

---

Friday 19th March, 1994 (The Burrow – Midday)

As he finished up his breakfast, he noticed that his mother was waiting on him. She's just sitting there, staring at me.

"Thank you, mum, I really missed you," Ron said, shooting her a sad smile. I feel as though I'm taking advantage of her good nature… If she knew what I was… What I've done… It would break her heart.

It was hard to admit that, which only made Ron question what he had become in his quest to save her. The apex predator of my Universe… Merlin, what the fuck does that even mean? Was he calling me a monster, but in a polite way?

"Not as much as I've missed you, love," Molly's heart melted, and she lovingly stroked his hair. "Are you still hungry? I could watch you eat all day, and we really need to get some colour into you. What would Daphne think?" That I'm a miserable wretch?

"No, I'm full, now," Ron replied, not caring about his sickly complexion and sunken eyes. "Mum… Um… Thank you for last night… I know I ruined your sleep-"

"No, you made my night so much brighter than any star ever could," Molly stopped him, and Ron subconsciously averted his gaze. "I'd forgotten how you used to cling to my leg when you were little, I was convinced that you were part-monkey."

The thought made him nostalgic, but with Occlumency, Ron quickly suppressed the futile emotion. "Well, I certainly act like an ape at times, I won't refute that. I want us, all of us, to make peace with who we are and where we stand. I don't have it in me to argue, anymore-"

"Your father and I want the same thing," Molly said, her excitement unmissable. "Oh, Ronnie… I wasn't going to tell you, because your father and I wanted to show you instead, but he and I have been volunteering at the camps and the Werewolf Sanctuary."

"Really?" Ron looked back to her, sitting up straighter. "And…? What do you think?" Why do you even care for her opinion, Ron? Stop holding expectations, for the love of all that's fucking holy… Just stop it.

"I've never been more proud, never," Molly's smile widened, the love within her eyes was scalding to Ron. "Your father and I failed to see what you were accomplishing, we couldn't focus on anything except for your wellbeing, but now… Watching those children playing by that beautiful lake, happy and laughing as all children should be… We were wrong to not see the 'bigger picture', as Dumbledore put it so bluntly. That stops from now on, I promise. You have our support, always!"

Ron had always wanted to hear those words, but they did little more than make his heart skip a beat. You don't do what you do for their approval. Just be grateful that they plan to stay out of your way, and keep things civil. No more distractions.

"I'm happy to hear that, mum, truly," Ron said, though his voice failed to show it.

If his mother did notice his lack of enthusiasm; she made no comment on it. Instead, she continued playing with his hair and smiling at his ugly mug, as if he would vanish if she stopped looking for even a second.

"Is this your way of saying I need a hair-cut?" Ron asked, getting somewhat sick of the needless touching. She's your mother, just endure it.

"You're half-Prewett, so you do need to keep your eyes on your hair," Molly laughed. "Your uncles used to wear their hair in a ponytail when they were in Hogwarts. All the girls in their year used to pine after them!" Shame they didn't spend their time training, they might've kept their heads if they were more like me.

"At least, I won't start balding early, like dad," Ron joked. Saved by brain-damage, which reminds me… I need to sneak off to a Healer, soon.

"What's that strange smell? It smells like toothpaste…" Molly suddenly asked, sniffing the air. The Numbing Balm, you mean? Yeah, I used extra, today. I need it.

Clenching his right hand, Ron was pleased when his injured forearm didn't ache. "I have some business to attend to, today. I think I'll go get ready."

"Leave the dishes," Molly forgot about the minty smell, just as Ron had intended. "What's your strategy for today?"

"Strategy? What, like Chess?" Ron asked, standing up as Molly nodded. "I don't know, help some people at the camps. Make sure The Quibbler is making as much money as I thought it would-"

"It's all the rave right now, being subscribed to The Quibbler," Molly told him, beaming. "Even Madam Malkin was reading a copy when I went shopping for a new apron yesterday, she mentioned that she plans to give discounts to all Werewolves from now on. She wants to help them the only way she knows how." Really?! She would do such a thing? Show genuine kindness to them?

"I should send her a bouquet, then," Ron felt a little better, it was always validating to have one's efforts rewarded. Still, I did very little. It must've been Marietta's excellent work that convinced her. I should give that lass a raise, but I'm not going to. Not yet.

"You'll be sending a lot of 'bouquets', then," Molly laughed, before giving him the same look that gutted him; one of pure admiration and love. "I'm so proud of you, Ron. I can't… I can't even put it into words…" she trailed off, her voice cracking.

"Thank you," Ron gave her the smile she needed, kissing the side of her head. "I'm going to go take a massive shit-"

"Tsk, Ronald!" Molly smacked his arm playfully, making Ron snigger for real. I'm still a cunt, and don't you ever forget it.

---

Friday 19th March, 1994 (Gringotts Wizarding Bank – Afternoon)

As Gornuk went on and on about the success of their product, his beady eyes already gleaming at the prospect of becoming wealthy; Ron found himself drifting off. Not because he was bored, but rather because Gornuk had sold the Basilisk Venom to Corban fucking Yaxley, of all people. The fault is all mine, I gave him the fucking thing; he was just doing his job. Why didn't I think about the dangers? Even if the Dark Lord didn't get his hands on it, some other sick fuck would have. Fuck… I was greedy. I wonder what Emilia would think-

"Mr. Weasley, am I boring you?" Gornuk suddenly clapped his hands, bringing Ron back. "Sir, we are about to make a lot of gold! Where is your smile?! Where is your pride?!" Merlin, he's really excited, which shouldn't really surprise me…

"This is good news, I'm happy to receive it," Ron tried to smile, but it was difficult.

Very difficult…

Gornuk leaned back in his chair, his excitement reigned in. "What has changed, Mr. Weasley?" Everything.

"I want you tell the others to keep up their good work," Ron changed the subject. "And tell them to only send me their ideas first, I don't have time to read and approve such a big pile of drafts. I'd like to read only a few a week. And Marietta should keep reporting on the Werewolf Sanctuary, let Greta work on the victims of Knockturn Alley-"

"She wishes to cover the former Minister's disappearance-" Gornuk started.

"The Daily Prophet is doing that to death, all those stupid conspiracy theories they're putting out," Ron rolled his eyes. But they're confusing people, which actually helps me better cover my tracks. "The Quibbler was made to report on the issues that the Daily Prophet openly ignores, the real issues. People freezing in the street, that's what the Wizarding World should read about."

"You wish to keep exploiting their softer sides," Gornuk nodded slowly.

"No, I'm still holding out hope, for some ungodly reason, that people might care for a change, if they're made to see how wretched things really are," Ron explained. And I don't need Greta looking into Fudge, not until I'm sure there's no trail to follow.

"The Ministry will take issue with this," Gornuk warned. "There is a new Minister, and she needs the support of her people. Miss. Thornburg has a tendency to be… brutally factual."

"If she needs the support of her people, then she ought to support them too," Ron said, wondering how his Aunt was progressing with her task. Tonight, we'll start rebuilding Knockturn Alley. I should expect to see Madam Bones soon, then. "Leave the Minister to me, she's not like Fudge. I'm sure that I can convince her to let me repair and improve Knockturn Alley, I just need to be patient for a little longer. She can't really afford to say no; she has no money."

"True, but she could always borrow from her fellow Ministers," Gornuk said. "It has been done before." She wants an independent British Ministry; she plans to power through this crisis.

"If she does that, then she's no different from Fudge," Ron shrugged. "I'll paint her that way. I don't want another stupid Minister. I like her, I even respect her to a degree, but she's a stubborn witch. She's stuck in her ways, and she's obsessed with her Ministry. It's her people that she needs to put first, not some ugly building and the sycophants that scurry within its walls. Her perspective is fucked."

Gornuk nodded, and then, he sighed and shook his head. What? What's wrong "We need a safer office, Sir… I've gone from being a humble banker to planning this country's future… Revolutions rarely end well for my kind, Mr. Weasley. I hope you know that."

"I almost always get an Outstanding in History of Magic," Ron joked, trying to ease the Goblin's worries.

"Good for you, Mr. Weasley," Gornuk didn't look amused at all.

"You want to be wealthy; you have to play in a higher league," Ron said. "My mentor taught me that, and I know you must at least respect Lord Greengrass' wisdom."

"His Vaults are rather… exquisite," Gornuk admitted, his sharp-teeth grinding. "Yes, they run deep, and are brim-full of glistening gold!" Yeesh, and they wonder why we don't trust them. He's ready to cream himself over the thought of Galleons, the sick bastard.

"Apologies-"

"Just wait until I'm gone, and then you can play with yourself," Ron smirked, making Gornuk's jaw drop. I saw the opportunity, and I don't regret my choice.

"Oh, you are jesting, of course," Gornuk laughed eventually, his needle-sharp teeth clattering.

"Yes, joking, sure," Ron said, pulling Gornuk's leg even more so. Okay, stop it. Enough fun.

"You are a vulgar and bizarre wizard, Sir," Gornuk admitted openly enough, wiping a tear from his eye. "Not like your fellow Lords, it is a breath of fresh air within this stale, old office." Why are you still here, then? The Quibbler's headquarters is all but finished, everyone is there now.

"You can always move to our headquarters, take that nice office I offered," Ron tempted; Gornuk was still a very valuable asset, and Ron wanted him all for himself. "Good work should be rewarded."

"There is some business I need to take care off, but yes, I think I shall move into the higher league, Mr. Weasley," Gornuk accepted, looking rather hungry. "Gold is gold, whether it comes from a mine, or, a wizard's pocket."

"That's the spirit, old boy," Ron stood up, fastening up his slim-fit, maroon armour. Corban Yaxley might still be his client, and I can use that. I just need to find the right, and safe, bait to lure him out with. I'll make up for my mistakes, one step at a time. Do the job right.

"Take good care of yourself, Mr. Weasley," Gornuk extended his long-fingered hand, and Ron shook it rather firmly. I'm not dying yet, don't get that into your head.

"I'll be seeing you a lot more, then, in a 'safer office'," Ron smiled, and Gornuk gave an eager nod.

"Farewell, Sir."

---

Victor Burke's POV

Friday 19th March, 1994 (Diagon Alley – Afternoon)

The pain…

The excruciating agony, every nerve in his vessel's body was on fire, but since the little fly was dead from shock; Victor was forced to puppeteer the body through the streets, enduring torture unheard of. It had taken so, so, so long to get here, so long to gain some semblance of control!

Where had he made a mistake? Where had he made a mistake? Where had he made a mistake?

His puppet's eyes twitched all about, it was so hard to keep the squishy balls from rolling down. Rot, rot, rot, rot. Move FASTER!

Focusing on the legs of this stupid boy, Victor approached the swarm of tasty flies all around him. Why was I killed? What did I do? What did I do? I had a kingdom of my own! RONALD! DEMON! Crushed, crushed, crushed my BRAIN! But I remember! I remember parts, small chunks of Vicky… The Horcrux was a mistake, I made a mistake! WHAT DID I MISS?! THAT FUCKING BOOK LIED! THE RITUAL LIED!

"Ea… Eat…" the puppet croaked Victor's deepest desires.

Oh, how he hungered… How he missed the taste…

When was his last meal? Why had he hidden his hunger for so long? It hadn't mattered, in the end. Eat their pain! Drain them dry! All of his Uncle Borgin's teachings had helped him hide, but it hadn't mattered… Ronald had ruined everything, because he was also a monster, but he didn't have dear old Uncle Borgin to teach him. I'll teach him! I'll eat him! Eat his pain!

He had kissed the right arses, become a bottom feeder, just like his clever uncle; a wolf in sheep's clothing, so he could eat, so he could gorge himself, but now that was all gone. The demon with the crimson eyes had taken it all away, but Victor was still a hunter, deep in his heart; and there were two hunts that still remained. Two flies still trapped in his web!

Ronald… and Felix…

His puppet's cheeks lifted at the memory of his pet, pulling the lips into a mangled smile. Love; I fed him properly! I was so close! He would have come away with me! Away from his damn, guard-dog father! SO CLOSE! WHY?! AGHH! THE PAIN! WHY WON'T IT END, UNCLE?! SO HUNGRY!

"Robert! Love, get away from that little boy! Look at his face! He's diseased!" a woman wrapped in thick furs whimpered from his right, and Victor turned the puppet's head to face them, but with his poor control, the right eye rolled to the side. My good eye, I can't see!

"Dear lord, what in the all the hells?!" the fat Lord quickly took his paling wife's arm, speeding away from Victor, not recognising a fellow Pure-Blood. It's so difficult to control this thing, I miss my body… Why can't I possess adults? Was it another mistake I made? Should've never made that Horcrux! That beautiful necklace! My first hunt! Two more meals, please, I deserve that much!

As he drew closer and closer, one janky step at a time; he forced himself away from his urges in order to concentrate, they had become so overwhelming now that there was only half of him left. He felt it, he constantly felt it! Missing half of him! It was unbearable! The process hadn't been complete; he should have never delved so deep into the Dark!

His faulty Horcrux had not survived Knockturn Alley, and he cursed the merchant who had sold him the fraudulent copy of Secrets of the Darkest Arts. Too rushed, too rushed… I should've been patient, done more research, but oh, I couldn't wait! Always my ONLY weakness! Always hungry! I was going to be immortal! I could've eaten, and eaten, and eaten, and eaten-…

He stopped moving, brilliant red catching his eye. THERE! THERE! I finally found the Devil! I'll eat his pain! I'll make him suffer, as I have suffered! Can't hide from me! I see you!

---

Ronald Weasley's POV

Friday 19th March, 1994 (Diagon Alley – Afternoon)

The sun was awfully bright today, and Ron was in a rush to get away from it. The camps have shade, I'll work from somewhere dark. He could already see the tents, which had only grown in number, much to his confusion. Where are all these people coming from?

Deciding to start an investigation into the matter, Ron began his search for an Auror. There was bound to be one here, acting as a peacekeeper. It wasn't long before Ron saw a head of pink hair patrolling the Merchant's Slum, a makeshift bazaar filled with families selling personal goods for extra rations and Knuts. Just a little more patience, we'll all be free of this nightmare soon.

As Ron neared Tonks, she was abruptly joined by a chestnut-haired witch in Auror attire, who wasted no time in pulling Tonks aside in order to give a report. Tonks seemed surprised by whatever news she was given, and both Aurors swiftly sped off, leaving Ron with even more questions. Something's gone wrong! I should follow them!

The Aurors were heading for the heart of the camps, where a large crowd was forming. Was there a fight? Ron wasn't surprised by the thought, everyone looked to be on edge already. There were bound to be a few-

A woman's screams suddenly rang through the air, jarring even Ron. Run! Go see what's happened! Ordering his feet and arms into action without hesitation; Ron began rushing towards the ever-growing crowd. He soon lost sight of Tonks and her colleague, who had barged into the mob, seemingly being consumed by it. He tried to call out to them, but his voice was quickly lost amidst the uproar. Use your training! Now is the time for it!

When he finally reached the edge of the mob, he stopped to sense where the Aurors could be, but that proved to be an impossible task. There were too many people here, and all of them were riled up and terrified. Ron was forced to break away, his head spinning and his breathing strained. Bloody hell, that was horrible… Okay, try to narrow down the calmer sources of Magic. Aurors wouldn't panic, right? I hope this works.

He tried again, feeling crushed by the errant Magic all around him. It was painful, in its own way, to be bombarded with so much fear at once; Ron imagined that an animal would feel the same within a slaughterhouse. Focus on Tonks and her friend! They couldn't have gotten far! However, try as he might, there was simply too much Magic about, and the screaming and shouting was doing his fucking head in. Even covering his ears didn't help, and he soon found himself struggling to concentrate at all. Oh, no… Artyom warned me about this, I've overwhelmed my brain. It'll pass, but I need to stop for a bit… Merlin, it's like my brain is swimming in maple syrup, this was a mistake.

After a few moments, as the commotion began to die down; Ron managed to shake his head clear and regain his wit. Having learnt his lesson, he thought of shoving his way in, but he soon abandoned that idea when he realized he could hurt someone. There are old people here, I can't just smack them out of the way. Damn, how do I get in there?!

Taking a few steps back, Ron observed his surroundings in order to find another way to the centre. Unfortunately, with all the chaos erupting around him, Ron found himself circling the large mob rather than finding a way past it.

It was during his search when Ron saw the most bizarre thing of all; a young boy sneaking about far away from the commotion, closer to the ruins of Knockturn Alley, a bloody wand gripped tight in his little hand. Everyone's scared and trying to get a look at what's going on, but this little kid isn't interested at all? And where are his parents? Why's he alone in such a place? Yeah, something's off with him… He's not even walking right; it looks as though someone is pulling strings on a puppet.

Ron changed his plan, choosing to follow after the boy rather than focusing on the mob; his instincts were telling him that the answers he wanted could be found if he had a conversation with the strange child.

It didn't take long for Ron to begin closing the distance, making sure to study the child from afar. I can't see his face from here, only his back. I'll need to get closer. Shooting one last look at the chattering people behind him, Ron was shocked to discover that the boy had vanished as soon as he had looked away. What… the fuck…? That kid fucking vanished into thin air… Where'd he go? I doubt he knows how to Apparate.

Running up to where the boy had been before vanishing, Ron looked down every dingy alleyway in the hopes of finding him, succeeding only at the last, and most repulsive, alleyway.

"Hey! You there!" Ron called out, catching a glimpse of the child's tattered clothing just as he disappeared behind the sharp corner. "Tsk… Damn kid, of all the fucking times to sneak off… Oi! Kid! Get back here! It's dangerous down there! There's litter and rubble everywhere! Come back!"

Speeding up, Ron kept up the chase, but no matter how much he tried; he was always one step behind the seemingly deaf boy. He's leading me further and further away. And I keep getting this strange feeling as well… Like I've stepped into a bunch of spider webs. I don't like it.

Closing off his mind, Ron focused on finding the boy's Magic now that he had completely lost sight of him. It was much easier to focus here, far away from the mob and their shouting. However, when Ron felt no Magic around him; he knew for certain that something was wrong. Unless that little shit flew away, there's no explaining his sudden disappearance. Where is he?!

"KID!" Ron called out again, hoping to Merlin that he was wrong about the creepy child. "If you need my help! Just call out! I won't hurt you!"

Once again, there was no response, which put Ron's teeth on edge. Was he seeing things? Why couldn't he sense any Magic around him? Is this what Dream was referring to? Is this why he needed to see a Healer? I'm going mental… I'm actually going fucking mental. Fuck, is this 'Change' really coming? What the fuck even is that? I'm so fucking scared; I can't even put it into words… And I'm all alone, no one will ever understand me. Not even myself, not even the fucking Elders!

Drawing in a sharp breath, Ron stopped and leaned against the nearest wall. He hadn't realized until now, but he was finally all by himself. His mum wasn't here, neither were the scores of wizards and witches he had passed on the way to Gringotts, a bank bursting with activity. At last, Ron was completely alone with his thoughts, and he couldn't bear it. I'm going to die, and it's going to be horrible! Fuck! FUCK! I'm losing my fucking mind!

His hands falling on his knees, Ron gagged, nearly wasting his mum's hard work. The vein in his forehead threatened to explode as his pale face turned cherry red, each breath became more laboured than the last, and his traitorous eyes started to water. Everything is going wrong! I'm failing at every front! What am I going to do about Tracey?! I'm fucking deluding myself, aren't I? Aren't I-?!

"Oi, oi, oi," his own voice suddenly cut through the noise in his head. "What's wrong? Hold on… Where the fuck are we?"

Ron blinked the tears away before looking up to Ravenclaw Ron, his past self looked baffled but concerned. "What… What are you doing here?"

"I felt it, it's like the world got dark down there," Ravenclaw Ron replied, leaning forward to study Ron's face. "Fuck me, what happened to you? Another panic attack?"

"Sod off…" Ron wheezed, looking back down and trying to remember Madam Pomfrey's breathing technique. I miss talking to her… Not as my Mind-Healer, but just as my mate… She was funny, in her own way.

Rocking back and forth helped a little, thoughts of happier times with Daphne helped even more so, and eventually; Ron was able to breathe without as much difficulty. His past self just stood there, watching over him but saying nothing. Probably doesn't know what to say, given who he is. It's fine… It's okay… I'm okay, now…

Wiping his eyes and cheeks dry, Ron leaned back against the wall and slid down onto his arse, not caring for his fine clothes. "Merlin, fucking help me…"

"Since his holy ghost isn't here, try me instead," Ravenclaw Ron said, kneeling down to catch Ron's gaze. "What happened? Where are were? And more importantly, why are we here?"

A broken laugh escaped Ron, followed by a pathetic sob. "I'm going insane… I'm fucking seeing things, again… And it's scaring the life out of me…"

It tore his heart out to admit to being so weak, especially in front of one of the parasites destroying him from within, but this is how low he had fallen. This is all he could do; cry alone in some dark alleyway before returning to his miserable life in order to keep fighting the good fight, until he met his own brutal end. I should've worked harder on my suicide attempt… I fucked even that up. A loser, through and through…

"I'm sorry you're stuck with me," his past self suddenly said, surprising Ron out of his misery for a moment. "Maybe a Hufflepuff version of us would've been better, eh? He'd know how to help you, seeing as they've got a gentle hand. Most of them, I mean." I'm done holding expectations. The Hufflepuff versions of us were useless cretin, that's why they're all dead.

"No one can help me…" Ron said, drawing in another deep breath before lifting himself up. "No one but me… I just have to be strong. Stronger than everyone else."

"I get that, but maybe a bit of rest will-" Ravenclaw Ron tried, frustrating Ron with his sudden shift in priorities.

"I spoke to Dream last night, and… I don't think I have much time left," Ron cut off Ravenclaw Ron, who slowly rose with a wary look.

"You spoke to another Elder? So soon?" Ravenclaw Ron asked, trepidation in his voice. "What did he say to you? Did he mention me?" Look at him, soiling himself at the thought of being discovered.

"He all but told me that I'm fucked," Ron said bitterly, making Ravenclaw Ron flinch. "That I'm utterly and thoroughly fucked! He told me to go see a Healer, but never explained why! He was fucking happy about it! He was smiling at me like some goddamn freak-!"

"What did he say, exactly?" Ravenclaw Ron asked. "Did he say you were dying?"

"No… No, he mentioned something a 'Change'… I don't know what he was getting at, even he didn't understand it completely. I'd rather not get into it-"

"He's lying, he knows a lot more than he's told you," Ravenclaw Ron said. "It's generally a wise rule to-"

"Can you just stop talking about it, please?" Ron asked, stopping his past self. "You'll send me over again, you insensitive twat. Just shut up."

"Sorry…"

Ron let out a long breath, covering his face and squeezing his eyes shut. What am I going to do? What's the next step? The answer came to Ron suddenly, and he decided to act on it before his mind latched onto his dream again. I should just stop thinking about this nonsense. All this horrible, cosmic nonsense! I don't understand it, and I really don't want to. It's going to get me killed, I know that for certain already.

"We're heading back towards Diagon Alley," Ron said, walking through Ravenclaw Ron. "There was a commotion, and I need to go find out what's going on…" Yes, focus on what you can change. That's what Madam Pomfrey would say.

"We're in Knockturn Alley?" Ravenclaw Ron followed. "Merlin's beard, Dumbledore sure did a number on it."

"It wasn't just him," Ron sped up. "C'mon, we need to hurry!"

"Why were you here in the first place?" Ravenclaw Ron asked, now floating. "You mentioned something about seeing things?"

"A… A little boy," Ron replied, shaking his head clear. "I think it might've been Dream, or, I don't know… Some vision? I couldn't feel his Magic, so I know nothing was there-"

"Did you use the Human-Prescence-Revealing Spell?" Ravenclaw Ron asked.

"No, what difference would it make?" Ron asked, stopping. "Explain."

"Well, wizards who know how to control their emotions, who know how to exercise control over their urges; they are harder to detect," Ravenclaw Ron enlightened. "Some can even hide themselves completely, by keeping a strong hold on their Magic. Remember what I taught you about controlling your Magic?" Ron nodded. "When we wizards get emotional, our Magic lashes out, filling the air with what we call 'errant Magic'. This makes it easier for other wizards to sense us, like a dog picking up the scent of fear, let's say. The Human-Presence-Revealing Spell was made specifically to hunt down the crafty ones, those who can hide their Magic."

"This was just a kid, though, not a grown wizard," Ron said, restarting his journey back. "Even if I had known at the time, it still doesn't make any sense. How could a child know how to hide their Magic so well? And where did he go? He vanished without a trace!"

"Silent Apparition, it's quite possible," Ravenclaw Ron countered.

"Again, he was a fucking child, no older than eight, or, seven," Ron reiterated, and his counterpart declared a non-verbal surrender. "Let's just go… I want to be away from this place. It was a mistake to come here." And whatever happened back at the camps will surely result in more Aurors keeping watch tonight, which means my plans to start rebuilding this shithole are now ruined. Brilliant! I need to let Aunt Muriel know, as soon as I take care of this new problem.

---

Nymphadora Tonks' POV

Friday 19th March, 1994 (Edges of Diagon Alley – Afternoon)

"Hold her down, Tonks!" Maria yelled, struggling to keep the husband and daughter back. "Don't let her go for even a second!"

"Tasty, tasty, tasty!" the mother screamed in Tonks' arms, flailing about in an attempt to snatch up her 'lunch' again. "So juicy and so tender! I want to crunch its little bones with my teeth!

"You're under a powerful Compulsion Charm, Miss!" Tonks shouted, dragging the woman down onto her side. "That's just a rat! It's not food, Miss!"

"Give me, give me, give me!" the woman screamed and cried, she was clearly trying to retain who she was before being enchanted by someone utterly devoid of humanity; her tears and nonstop gagging were evidence enough.

"Maria! Do something!" Tonks shouted from the ground, gripping the woman in her arms even more tightly. I can't hold her! She's not concerned about getting hurt! I have to stun her!

"I'm hungry! Oh, so tasty! So hairy! So slimy down my throat! I hate it! I hate it so much! Take my daughter away, please! Don't let her look! AND GIVE ME-!"

"Stupefy!" Tonks hissed, pressing her wand into the woman's back.

The flash of red was quickly followed by horrified gasps and judgemental murmuring, but Tonks was past the point of caring. No matter what the Aurors did, they would inevitably suffer the blame for everyone's woes. With Fudge and Umbridge both gone, the remaining vampires scattered, and Lucius Malfoy being lost to the winds, only the Aurors were left behind to remind the people of their destroyed lives. My friends died saving these people, I almost bloody died…

It was unfair… And it was cruel… And a part of her was beginning to grow cold…

"Maria! Help me!" Tonks barked, losing patience with her idiot partner. "Stop holding the fucking daughter hostage, please! I need help over here!"

"All right, what's going on?! Let me through, you pricks!" a young voice rang out, just in time for Ronald Weasley, of all people, to burst through the mob. "Tonks?! Oh, bloody hell, what's wrong with that woman?!" What's he doing here?! He's meant to be at school! Did he sneak off again?! I don't need this today!

Ron's eyes darted towards the mauled rat, then to the woman's bloody mouth, and then finally, to Tonks herself, who was quick to shake off her surprise and fly into action. I still have a job to do. I'll deal with him after.

Pushing the woman's limp form away, Tonks shot up to her feet and conjured a stretcher, looking to Ron instead of Maria. "Clear the mob for me? I need to take her to a Healer."

Ron gave a firm nod, moving towards the centre and waving his arm about for attention. Finally! Someone useful.

"Everyone!" Ron started, filling the air with silence. "Kindly clear the fucking way! Let the goddamn Aurors help her to St. Mungo's, this isn't a bloody show! This poor woman's clearly been Cursed by some sick fuck, who will be found and beaten into a sorry state by the Aurors Department, shortly before being hauled off to Azkaban to rot, I promise! Cheers!" What the hell…? What was that?!

"Yeah, you get that bastard!"

"Disgusting, what he's done to the poor woman… Shameful!" The attacker could've been female, you can't just assume-…

"Merlin help us all, there's a depraved lunatic walking amongst us!"

"Go on, clear the bloody way!" a particularly loud wizard ordered. "Do as Mr. Weasley says, let the Aurors through!"

"You make sure you find whoever did this!"

"And beat him bloody!"

"This country's going to the dogs! This is the last straw; I'm moving to bloody Muggle London! At least Muggles don't do this to each other!"

"That's that Weasley boy, isn't it?!"

The mob had reignited, but in favour of the Aurors rather than against them. They were even decent enough to clear the way for Tonks. Maria quickly joined her along with the father and the daughter, an apologetic expression already in place. Save it, we're going to talk about this later. You bloody froze, I saw you. I could've gotten hurt. The victim could've gotten hurt! This isn't acceptable, Maria. I have to report this.

As she left the mob behind, Tonks shot one last look back at Ron, who was already chatting away with the people; his control over them left a bad taste in her mouth, though she didn't know why. Wait… I think I know why… He's bloody smiling, like nothing happened… That's really odd-…

"Is mummy going to be okay?" the daughter suddenly asked, no older than ten and clinging tightly to her father's neck. "Daddy?"

"Mummy's going to be just fine, dear," the father replied, but Tonks knew a lie when she heard one. Whoever did this, they were damn powerful. The damage could be irreversible. Fuck… Why did I ever become an Auror? It's a nightmare that never stops, isn't it? Even Mad-Eye is starting to make a lot of sense, and that's never a good sign.

---

Friday 19th March, 1994 (St. Mungo's – Evening)

"So, you're telling me that a civilian stepped in to control that miserable lot, while you and Roberto just stood about with your thumbs up your arses?" Mad-Eye growled, he had finally arrived, and the first thing he had done was pull Tonks aside for a tongue-lashing. "Is Ronald Weasley an Auror, now? Does he have higher authority than you?"

"That last one I could argue-" Tonks started, but Mad-Eye stopped her with a growl.

"Roberto freezing up, I can understand, but you too?" Mad-Eye frowned. "Don't let it happen again, Auror. If you think a mob of angry locals are close to ripping you and your partner to bits, shoot out the red flare, and every Ministry Official will convene at your location. That is basic training, Tonks! How can you forget something like this?!"

"I didn't want things to escalate, Sir," Tonks replied, barely holding back her tongue, but doing nothing about her crimson hair. "However, if I'm being completely honest, those people are just blaming us for everything wrong in their lives, whereas they should at least be a little grateful-"

"Enough, Tonks," Mad-Eye hissed, making her clamp her jaw shut. "I get that you're shaken by what happened in Knockturn Alley-"

"I've put the whole ordeal out of my mind, Sir," Tonks lied. "I'm fine, I got over what happened."

"Well, then, you have clearly have issues that you need to deal with, because even I'm struggling to move on," Mad-Eye admitted openly enough, but in his usual aggressive manner. "We don't serve for gratitude, Tonks, and any Auror who does won't stay an Auror for long. We serve to protect our fellow countrymen, even if that means being hated by the very same people. That's the burden that comes with authority, that's the burden that comes with this job. Process whatever you need to process, and just stop this descent you're on before it's too late. Drinking at the Cauldron every night? Not showing up at home? Worrying your mother and father? And now, you're even talking back to your superiors? If you want to throw your life away, there are easier methods than ruining your liver-"

"I don't drink that much-" Tonks started, sick of being the punching bag, but when Mad-Eye drew in a sharp breath; she quickly stopped. Whatever… I'm going back to my patrol-

"… Go home, Auror…" Mad-Eye said suddenly, not hiding his disappointment.

"What?"

"Go home, you're not fit to keep working tonight, you need to sleep," Mad-Eye growled, pointing to her baggy eyes. "I've seen a lot of good Aurors fall apart, Tonks, so take my words seriously. Don't become like them." With that, Mad-Eye took a step back, stopping her by raising his hand when she went to change his mind. "Roberto will be joined by Gawain and myself, tonight. We're too stretched as is to spare any more Aurors. Plus, we could both use an easy assignment, and I need to have a chat with Roberto about her friend." Friend?

"Which friend?" Tonks asked, naturally curious. "Rodney? What's he done now?"

"Barbara Moon, remember her?" Mad-Eye asked, and Tonks nodded slowly. Of course, I do. I went to her funeral.

"How could I forget? We trained together every day, but I suppose we never got along…" Tonks remembered the Austrian witch, she had been a soft soul, while Tonks' ambitions had quickly hardened her. Not enough, though, obviously.

"Roberto saw her being stabbed to death; Rufus and I were too late to save the poor lass," Mad-Eye told her, making Tonks feel even more wretched. "If you can, talk to Roberto as well. An Auror who freezes is of no use to me, but she'll still ignore me, no doubt, just like you plan to." Tonks averted her gaze at that; he was right. "So, maybe she'll listen to someone her own age? Maybe you two can talk some bloody sense back into each other."

Mad-Eye departed right after, not one for proper goodbyes, not that Tonks was going to complain. Sent home… Mum is going to love this. She can't help but gloat whenever she's right. Should I spend the night at Grimmauld place, again? Charlie, Kurt, Sturgis, and Sirius do make for good company, but I know that Sirius is keeping an eye on me. Ugh… Even him! Of all the people…

Deciding to rent a room at the Leaky Cauldron, instead, Tonks got moving; she didn't want to stay here for a moment longer than she needed to. I still remember digging out the corpses, all burnt to the bone… We had to take bloody guesses about who was who…

As she neared the exit of the rebuilt Janus Thickey Ward, better known as Ward 49, she spotted Ronald Weasley once again, speaking to a fairly young Healer. Is he following me? What are the odds that he's here too? The Healer shook Ron's hand, a rather sorry look on his face, but Ron simply shrugged and laughed, much to the Healer's surprise. What's that package in Ron's hand? Wait… Is he getting a scan? Molly mentioned how he needs those.

The Healer spoke a little more, but Tonks dared not use her abilities to overhear; she liked and respected the young wizard, despite how odd he was. However, judging by the Healer's expression; the news couldn't have been good. Where are his parents? Don't tell me he came here without telling them.

The Healer shook Ron's hand once again, apologized, and then left to tend to his other patients, leaving Ron by himself. Tonks remained rooted to the other side of the room, watching with bated breath to see what would happen next. Maybe I read the Healer's expression wrong? Maybe it's not-

Ron's shoulders finally sagged as his face twisted in pain, breaking Tonks' heart in the process. She didn't know him well, but she knew people who did… People who would be devastated to see him here by himself, receiving news so bad that he didn't care for his perfect image. Oh, Gods, his hands are shaking! He's in tears! What did that Healer tell him?!

Unable to stop herself, Tonks rushed forward, putting on a smile to cheer up the lonely, dying boy. "Ron? Is that you? Fancy meeting you twice in one day, mate!"

---

Ronald Weasley's POV

Friday 19th March, 1994 (The Leaky Cauldron– Evening)

Tonks was a persistent witch, and Ron had to give her credit for her ability to pester others into awkward situations. But I still agreed, even knowing how awkward this would be, because I don't want to be alone. Not after finding out-

"Here's your ale, Tonks," Tom suddenly rocked up, bringing a large tankard and pitcher with him. "Lucky you're not working tonight; it's raining cats and dogs out there!"

"That's me, the lucky one," Tonks winked and laughed, but Ron saw through her act. "Hey, Tom… Why don't you bring Ron here a tankard too? One of the big ones!"

"Pardon?" Ron spoke up. "No, thank you."

"Oh, go on, it'll be fine," Tonks beamed. "Just one tankard!"

"Tonks, he's underage…" Tom started, shooting Ron an awkward smile. "I mean, no offence, Sir-"

"Sir? Oh, offence most definitely taken," Ron nearly groaned, while Tom muttered another apology. "Tonks, I don't want ale-"

"Are you ever going to get to the legal age limit?" Tonks asked, her voice gentle but firm. No… No, I'm not. "Tom, c'mon, make an exception for him. He's still bloody famous, that has to count for something! Doesn't it?!" It doesn't.

"You really that sick, mate?" Tom asked Ron, his eyes darting to the folder with the St. Mungo's coat of arms on it.

"Yes…" Ron didn't feel the need to lie. Who fucking cares? I don't…

"Right… I'll send that tankard over, then-" Tom went to leave.

"You don't have to do that, Tom," Ron sighed out, shooting the over-excited Tonks an annoyed glare. "No need to risk trouble on my account-"

"Every man should have the right to enjoy a strong one at the end of a rough day, mate," Tom said simply, giving Ron a strong pat on the shoulder. "I'll send a pitcher too, on the house."

"I should bring you along more often!" Tonks' eyes gleamed, her smile getting brighter. "Trust me, Tom only stores the best! It's why we all come here!"

"Now, you're just kissing my arse, Auror," Tom laughed merrily, leaving their little corner booth.

"I don't like drinking, it tastes foul," Ron told her, tucking the folder away from sight. I can't hide this for long, especially from mum and dad. I'll end up hurting everyone a lot more by lying about it, I know that, now. The best place to hide is in plain sight, so this wretched news can still work in my favour, if I'm smart about it.

"It's that bad, huh?" Tonks asked, her voice now full of pity. And it's here. Yay. As if life hadn't just taken a massive shit down my throat, the fucking pity parade is now getting ready to add to the flavour. "Want to talk about it?"

"No, not particularly," Ron replied, somewhat annoyed by her forwardness.

"It's just that, when I'm upset, I like to talk about what's making me upset," Tonks started going off again, and Ron already knew that she was never going to stop, not until he gave her what she needed. Where's that bloody tankard? I'm going to drown out the sound of her voice. Occlumency and alcohol, let's see if it works.

---

Thirty Minutes Later

"You should slow down," Tonks advised, a massive grin on her face.

"Are you going to slow down?" Ron asked, putting the tankard down. This is fucking piss. Tom went out back, pissed in a pitcher, and sent it over. I'm certain of it!

"I'm only on my second tankard, you've already had three," Tonks reminded him.

"I was talking about your insistent chatter," Ron clarified, and once again, she gave a good chuckle. Am I really that funny? Or, is she trying to make me feel better?

In the end, it didn't really matter, as Ron was most definitely feeling buzzed and lightheaded, a combination that was actually quite nice. Tonks had already made him feel better, which was reason enough to stay in her company. It's just a shame I need to stop, Mum will tear my face off if I show up to dinner drunk. I don't want to upset her, especially not now.

"I'll have one more," Ron decided to finish at an even four.

"All right, but if you go for a fifth, I'll take you home straight away," Tonks said, still grinning as she filled his tankard. I think I've managed to help her as well. I saw Moody on the way out, and he was quite pissed off. She definitely got torn a new one, and I definitely shouldn't bring it up.

"These are really big cups," Ron focused on making casual conversation, finally noticing how heavy a filled tankard felt. "Have you noticed?"

"I have, Tom only hands them out if you order the ale," Tonks laughed, refilling her own big cup.

"Is ale expensive? It's not very good," Ron gave his honest opinion. "Tastes like piss." Where is the Apple Brandy when you need it? I should raid Lord Greengrass' study next chance I get.

Tonks laughed again, before swiftly shushing him. "Don't say that, or, Tom will stop sending us free drinks. And no, the ale here isn't expensive, it's actually the cheapest thing on the menu, but it gets you drunk fast. That's the whole point! You've got no idea how lucky we are-!"

"Lucky? Is that what we are?" Ron laughed, but his laughter was utterly devoid of mirth. What happened to keeping it casual, you dolt?

"You're finally ready to open up to me," Tonks beamed, and Ron gave her a deadpan look. "What?! Still not ready?!"

"Tonks, you are fucking insane," Ron said simply enough, and she laughed yet again. Merlin, what happened to this poor woman that she turned out like this? What manner of childhood trauma could do this?

"All right! I have another idea, then," Tonks leaned back, taking a long swig. "I'll tell you about my day, and then, you can tell me about your day? We leave nothing out, total honesty between two friendly strangers." We're not strangers, though. Still…

"I am interested in that family you saved," Ron admitted, thinking it over. "But, really, I'd rather not talk about-"

"They're not sure the treatment worked on the mother, Mrs. Benedict," Tonks told him. What…? "They're keeping her for a month, under very close observation. The Compulsion Charm was too strong, whoever cast it was a brutal piece of…" she trailed off, all of her previous jolliness gone. "The family got lucky, though. St. Mungo's is swimming in gold, thanks to the large donations they've received, and so they've taken her in free of charge."

"Fucking hell…" Ron sighed out, taking a long swig himself. "Okay, firstly, do you have any idea about who attacked her? And why? I stayed behind and questioned some people-"

"Is that what you were doing?" Tonks cut in, stopping him. "You weren't showing off?"

"I was showing off," Ron saw nothing wrong with that. "But I was also asking questions, and as I was going to say before you so rudely interrupted me, I got nothing. No one saw anything, most of them were only there because of the screams."

"That was Mrs. Benedict," Tonks said, her skin crawling. "Someone brutalized her, she's never going to be the same person ever again, even if she recovers."

"So, instead of killing her silently, which they could've done given their skill; they instead chose to ruin her life," Ron summed it up. "Wow… What a fucking cunt." We'll find this wretch, ring their neck.

"If there's one thing I've learned from being an Auror, it's that the worst sort of monster could be sitting right in front of you, and you wouldn't even know it," Tonks said, drinking down the entire tankard in one swig. "They know how to blend in, Ron. How to hide right amongst us. It's honestly terrifying."

"I can totally imagine," Ron smirked from behind his cup, amused by how ironic this conversation had suddenly turned.

"Whoever was behind the attack, they must get off on causing misery, there's no other explanation," Tonks continued. "Maria, my partner… She thinks that it might've been one of the escapees still on the loose. Maybe even a Death-Eater."

"What would a Loyalist have to gain from attacking some random family?" Ron asked without thinking.

"Loyalist? And that's actually a fair point… I don't think it was a Loyalist, either," Tonks gave him a studious look, pouring herself another one. "You seem to know a lot about everything, Ron. It's kind of strange…"

"I'm a strange person," Ron couldn't really deny that. "It's a part of my charm."

Tonks took another swig and chuckled; a lot more restrained than before. "That's fair, good on you for being well-read. I wish I'd paid more attention in History of Magic, that's for certain."

"Why? Would it have changed your mind about being an Auror?" Ron asked, turning the spotlight back to her.

"I don't want to stop being an Auror, I love it-" Tonks started.

"The moment you started talking about your beloved job, you started drinking in earnest," Ron looked to her tankard, already raised to her lips. "That's your fourth one, now. You've caught up to me in mere minutes. You should slow down."

"You cheeky little… Damnit…" Tonks sighed out, putting the tankard down. "You're definitely a Slytherin, no doubt about it. My mum would love you…"

"I doubt it," Ron said, shaking his head a little. "I hurt Sturgis Podmore, remember? Your mother was there, glaring daggers at me."

"That was all a misunderstanding, even Sturgis is over it," Tonks assured him, finishing the tankard right after. "Fuck it, I need it today… I still can't get the sight out of my head, Ron. She was eating rats! Crunching their skulls between her teeth to suck out their brains… It was bloody awful! Her poor daughter, Merlin help us all… What is happening to this world?" Ah, I remember when I had a vision of Harry's head being bitten off by that Mountain Troll. Simpler times…

"It sounds truly awful," Ron said, not fazed in the slightest, however. All we can really do now is pray that the Healers are able to save what can be saved. She should've never been on the streets like that in the first place, there's a far bigger issue that needs to be resolved-

"It really doesn't bother you?" Tonks asked. "It sounds truly awful? That's all you have to say?"

"I never said that it didn't bother me-"

"Yeah, when someone is drunk, it's pretty easy to tell how they really feel," Tonks said, studying his detached expression. "You really aren't bothered by what we saw? How…?" Shit, am I really that gone? Fuck! Focus, Ron. Sit up and bloody focus.

As Ron straightened up, he placed his tankard well away from himself. "It does bother me, I just… move on…"

"That fast?" Tonks asked immediately, clearly disturbed. "Ron… Even you have to admit that you shouldn't be able to do that. No one should. Oh… Wait… I get it!" You do? "The scans… Of course, you haven't got time to worry about Mrs. Benedict, not after getting bad news yourself. I'm so insensitive sometimes! Sorry, Ron… I didn't even think about that, I'm so sorry." Did she just make up a reason to explain why I'm so fucked up? She really wants to see the best in me, doesn't she? Why? You don't know me, woman… What's the matter with you?

That's when Ron finally saw it, Tonks wasn't looking to investigate him; she was simply worried about a friendly stranger. She was here as a person, not an Auror, much like he was there for those who felt just as alone as he did. Is that why she's encouraging me to relax and have a drink, so I know she's not an Auror right now? Damn, it certainly worked, I nearly got caught… There's definitely a bit of Slytherin in her, but she's genuine in her concern. There's no angle for her to work, as she would be the one getting into serious trouble if we get caught.

"What's wrong? Did I say something stupid?" Tonks winced. "Why are you just staring at me?"

"The damage has spread…" Ron blurted out, giving into his drunken compulsion to be sappy and pitiful. "Two more black spots, near my Amygdala… That's what the Healer found. He has no idea how the damage could've spread to such a deep area of my brain, there's no fucking connection to the previous pattern of spread whatsoever… It scared him more than it scared me, if I'm being honest." The 'Change'… Is this it? Was Ravenclaw Ron right? These spots are something else entirely? "Well, there you go… You win, Tonks. How do you like your prize?"

It filled him with dread to confess the truth to Tonks, but he didn't regret it, even as he watched her face fall and her hair turn a pathetic shade of pale grey. "I don't really know what to say, Ron, except for that I'm terribly sorry this is happening to you. Did… Did the Healer mention anything that could help? Any Potions? Or-"

"Like I said, the scans baffled and scared him," Ron shook his head. "He pretty much told me to sort out my affairs, just in case. He had no idea that I've already finished and submitted my will, I'm just waiting to hear back from Gringotts for their approval."

"You've written a will?" Tonks looked horrified. "Merlin, that must've been horrible for all of you-"

"I wrote it alone, there's no need to bother other people with my problems," Ron shrugged, why would he include other people in the process of writing his will?

"Alone…?" Tonks' jaw dropped. "We need another bloody jug… Tom! One more, please!" Another one? Eh, why not?

"Why does that bother you? Haven't you done it?" Ron asked, noticing Tom already bringing a new pitcher over. I'm paying him for this one, we're acting like scum.

"Of course, I have… I had to when I signed up for the job, but I didn't really take it seriously until now, though…" Tonks muttered, looking away from Tom as he approached.

"Here," Ron already had a sickle ready. "We'll be paying from here on out, cheers for the free ones."

"That's a little too much, mate," Tom chuckled, accepting the coin nonetheless.

"Doesn't really bother me," Ron shrugged, refilling his tankard himself. "Just don't ever tell anyone about this."

"I keep secrets for a living, don't worry about a thing," Tom gave him another pat on the shoulder before heading back to his bar. Why do people keep touching me?

"Your cup?" Ron asked, and Tonks quickly pushed it forward. "You said you didn't really think about your will until now. What does that mean? You didn't think you could die?" Are you invincible? If so, share your secrets, please.

"Training is one thing, being on a battlefield is another," Tonks replied. "One day, we were tagging along for investigations, only giving input, nothing more… We were still learning. And then, some idiots high up on the 'chain of command' send me and my friends to die… I lost civilians under my care, colleagues I was looking forward to working with… I even lost my Captain, a man I never truly respected until he was gone… Trust me, I'm taking my will very seriously, now, which is why I know how dreadful the whole experience is. My mum and dad were there for me, but we still struggle to accept the fact that I could die before them."

"It must've been terrible for them," Ron figured, and Tonks gave a weak nod. "I'm glad I spared my parents that, then."

"You're missing the point here," she was quick to argue. "It was an important step for us, Ron, as a family. It was horrible, and my dad was in tears, asking me to find another career, but in the end; we came out stronger than ever. I earned their trust and blessings. Sometimes, pain makes us stronger, and trying to avoid it ends up hurting us even more."

Her words were making sense, much to his annoyance, but she clearly didn't know his parents. "Have you spent much time with my mother and father, Tonks?"

"I have, and I know that you don't always get along with them," Tonks was stern, but not overly so. "But they're your parents, the only two you'll ever have. I know they can be stubborn, we all joke about it, even, but they love their children. Every single person who spends more than five minutes in their company knows that. All they ever want to talk about are their brilliant children, and you come up more than any other lately! You're throwing that away because you're scared of upsetting them-!"

"They'll be a little more than upset, I promise," Ron frowned, why was she getting so passionate about his affairs? Friendly stranger, my freckled arse…

"Of course, they're your parents!" Tonks emphasized. "They'll be terrified, and they'll make you just as terrified as them, it's going to happen… But have you considered that they might need this? Because it's them who'll be left to grieve you, Ron. You, in a way, are the lucky one… You don't have to bury your child, and then live with that until your dying breath." Ron looked down at the table at that, his eyes stinging. Shut up about it… You don't know anything. "Don't you want to give them a chance to make peace while you're still here? The chance to cherish every single moment with you? They deserve that much, Ron, don't they?" Fuck me sideways… She had to fucking go there, didn't she?

"Just leave it alone, Tonks," Ron demanded, taking a long gulp. "I don't want to talk about it, not with you…"

"So, I just need to find the right person?" Tonks asked.

"You said everything would stay between us," Ron reminded her. Don't go back on your word with me, it won't end well for you.

"Damn, I did say that, didn't I? Then, I guess I'm the only one who can talk some sense into you," Tonks grinned, leaving Ron utterly baffled. "I've got no choice, as far as I can see." I'd rather have a conversation with the Entity.

"Or, we could just drink and then go home?" Ron suggested.

"I'm spending the night here," Tonks shrugged, surprising Ron. "I've got all night to talk, if you're up for it."

"Spending the night here? Not with your 'strong and loving' family?" Ron asked, finding a chink in her armour.

"It's not like that-"

"Then, what's it like?" Ron cut in. "Tell me, please." I'm sensing a bit of insincerity here, Tonks.

Tonks gave him a knowing look, and then; she chugged her tankard empty. "Okay… If you want to know, I'm having nightmares… I scream and thrash about in my sleep, and my parents won't let me silence, or, lock my room, just in case there's an emergency." Oh, fuck… Now, I'm the prick. "I nearly got buried, Ron… When those muggle bombs were set off. Madam Roberts… Jane, she pulled me out, saved my life nearly at the cost of her own. Others weren't so lucky, not even the poor woman I had just finished speaking to. She was calling us Aurors useless, right up until she wasn't…" Tonks then poured herself another mug. "Drinking helps, lets me have better dreams."

"Have you thought about using a Sleeping Draught, instead?" Ron asked, unable to resist feeling sorry for her. She's not like most; she has a reason to struggle. There's no laziness on her part. At least, I don't feel it.

"And risk addiction? The side-effects? Insomnia?" Tonks shook her head, letting out a sorry chuckle. "They'll take my badge from me, believe me. Better Aurors than I have been removed from service for less. Some bastards at the Ministry are always looking to cut down our funding, to weaken us to the point of dependency… Bloody politicians, working at the Ministry has been a real wake-up call for me, one I wish hadn't gotten sometimes…"

"I think we've just reached common ground," Ron said, not realizing that he was tipping back and forth.

"You're slurring your words," Tonks said. What? No, I'm not.

"I said we've just reached common ground," Ron repeated, and Tonks gave a laugh and a nod. "The Ministry is filled with cunts-!"

"Not so loud," Tonks giggled, shushing him. "I still want to keep my job, Ron!"

"Sorry," Ron further wet his throat. "I'm sorry to hear about your nightmares, Tonks… I know what it's like to always worry about having to sleep. I didn't mean to bring up any bad feelings. I mean, I did, but now I feel bad… So… Sorry, I guess…"

"Thanks, I guess," Tonks smiled fondly, sounding equally sorry. "I figured you'd understand, given everything I've read about you. Given everything you've just told me." Right…

"Does drinking always lead to self-pity?" Ron joked, hoping to change the sorry tone.

"When sad people drink, yes," Tonks replied, taking another sip. "I'm still glad I ran into you, though, Ron, don't get me wrong. Our conversation might be getting a little painful for us both, sure, but in the right sort of way." I get it, I get it… And I've decided that I like you. You're an honest person, and I can respect that.

"Thanks… for not leaving me by myself…" Ron managed, quickly hiding his wet eyes behind his tankard. And I'll tell them, give them the chance they deserve, but after I return from Ilvermorny. I love them both, but the mission will always first from now on.

"I couldn't just leave," Tonks said gently, taking one last sip. "Right! That was a good chat! I reckon I'll go home, tonight, after all."

"Really?" Ron asked. "What changed your mind?"

"I'm going to have nightmares either way, might as well wake up to hot coco," Tonks winked, grinning widely. Ha! I like that attitude! "And you should go home and talk to your parents, because they love you very much. If you're not up to it today, then don't wait too long, okay?"

"Okay…" Ron agreed, feeling as though Tonks had helped him gain new perspective on his parents. "You're a good one, Tonks… Now, pick up that mug, and help me finish up the pitcher. I already paid too much for it."

"Yes, Sir," Tonks was quick to tease, making Ron smile a little at last. Be strong, and keep fighting the good fight. Save what can be saved, and tear apart any stupid prick who dares to threaten your work. And whatever you do, don't fucking throw up!

---

Arthur Weasley's POV

Friday 19th March, 1994 (The Burrow – Dinner)

Arthur had never left work so early in his life… He had practically leapt out the window of his cramped, little office at five, rushing home in the hopes of catching Ron. Unfortunately, that hadn't been the case, as his son wasn't one to be idle for too long; a fact that brought more pride than stress nowadays. He's probably helping someone out there; I just know it.

"Arthur, it's getting late…" Molly whispered, at the edge of her seat. "Where is he?"

"I'm sure he's fine, Ron's a clever lad," Sirius spoke up from the other side of the table, sharing his finest Firewhiskey with James, who looked particularly broken tonight, given his wife's constant refusal to leave Tracey's bedside.

"Merlin, does Sirius really hear everything?" Molly hissed to her husband, who couldn't help but wonder the same.

"I do!" Sirius laughed, already drunk, earning a smack from Xeno.

"You'll wake my son," Xeno fussed, looking madder than ever. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to put him to sleep?"

"Honestly, Sirius, don't yell inside," Pandora scolded. "Even toddlers know better."

"Sorry…" Sirius apologized, while James stared longingly at Lysander, his empty eyes welling up. "Mate, you okay? James?"

"Perhaps your baby shouldn't be at the dinner table, where we're all going to dine shortly?" Sebastian suggested before James could answer, cold as always. Wow… Can someone smack him, instead, please?

"In no way is my husband referring to your beautiful baby boy as a pet, you two," Mary was quick to clear up any confusions, which seemed to be half her job. "Right, Sebastian?"

"Of course," Sebastian said, just as Arthur saw Sirius pull James a little to the side for a chat. I should join them, give James some words of comfort- "Arthur, is that son of yours ever going to show up? I want to show Ron my 'support', not that I don't do everything for him already, but I also wish to return home to my daughter. She needs me just as much." And then, there's that… Poor girl…

"Why didn't you bring her?" Molly asked the Greengrasses, worried. "You know we adore her! And if she's really suffering from a mental…" she trailed off, looking to the more reasonable one. "You should've brought her, Mary. A good dinner with family would've helped her!"

"I tried, Molly, but she won't stop sleeping," Mary said, looking to her uncharacteristically impatient husband. "The moment we brought her home, she went and locked herself in her room. Her Elves are tending to her, and they're not telling us anything-"

"I'll have them whipped for an hour each-" Sebastian started.

"They're showing loyalty to your Heiress, this is a good sign, love," Mary was quick to temper Sebastian's ruthlessness. "And if you punish her Elves, she'll only push us further away."

"You should try again tomorrow," Molly 'suggested', her eyes flashing. "Tell me what she loves to eat, maybe we can tempt her into leaving her room?"

"I agree with Molly," Pandora whispered, rocking Lysander. "Poor girl shouldn't be alone, and Ron always seems to cheer her up. They could lean on each other-"

"Mum? Dad? Is dinner ready?" Bill stepped into the kitchen from the living room, followed by Kirsten and Charlie. "Sorry, but we're starving in there… And we reckon Ron's forgotten about dinner."

Arthur quickly took Molly's hand under the table, knowing that she would be hurt if this were true.

"I'm sure he'll be here soon, though," Kirsten added.

"Ron would never miss out on his favourites," Charlie consoled her too, all three taking their seats, leaving only one unoccupied. "I bet he'll be here any second now."

"You know him, love," Arthur was quick to remind his wife of their agreement. "He's most likely helping some poor soul-"

There was a sudden loud bang from the living room, followed by a long list of slurred profanities. Every eye was immediately glued to the entrance, from which Ron abruptly stumbled through, a drunk, unapologetic grin on his face. "Good evening, my beautiful family! Oh, fuck, there's more cunts in here than I thought…"

"Or, he was getting drunk," Arthur muttered, looking to his paling wife. "Molly, love, before you react, that's our son, who we love completely-"

"Ronald Weasley," Molly hissed as she shot up, making sure to mind Lysander. "You're drunk? Really? In my house?"

"Am I dreaming?" Sirius began laughing. "Is this a dream?! He's actually drunk!"

"This… This is brilliant…" Charlie mumbled, an insidious grin forming on his face. "Ronnie's utterly cooked-!"

"Charlie, stop it," Bill stopped his brother, but could do nothing about Kirsten and Charlie's immature sniggering. "Bloody hell, Ron… Tonight? Of all nights?"

"Is that my precious little thing?" Ron ignored the rest, his eyes focusing in on a sleeping Lysander. "Aw! I've been dying for this… Give him to Us!" Us? Merlin, how drunk is he?

"Ron, we just put him to sleep…" Xeno immediately looked spooked. "Please, don't wake him-"

"I will be very gentle, I promise," Ron stepped further into the room, swaying. "Look at him, cutest motherfucker on this planet!"

"Good heavens… He just called a baby a mother-…" Molly dropped back into her seat, looking truly disturbed, while Pandora looked truly perplexed for a change.

"Chicken drumsticks?!" Ron suddenly squealed, making them all jump and look to Lysander. Bloody hell, it's only a matter of time before he wakes up screaming. "Mum, you're a gift from the Gods! I could honestly eat a horse, that's how hungry I am, but…" he trailed off, slowly turning to James and losing his mirth. "Why are you here so suddenly, Sir? And why are you so close to tears? It's not Tracey, is it?"

"Ron, we can talk about that after dinner-" Arthur started, but Ron quickly shook his head.

"Won't eat until all my problems are taken care of," Ron said, pointing to a startled James. "I want to know what's upsetting this man! I won't eat until you tell me, so you might as well tell me, because I promise you; my willpower trumps all of yours!" Sweet Circe, and I thought he was a handful before!

"James, just give him the letter," Sebastian spoke up, finishing his wine. "It's why we really came; he needs to know that Harkin is onto us-"

"What?" Arthur blinked, while Ron let out a long sigh. "Seb? James? What's going on here? What letter?"

"Yeah, what's going on here?" Sirius asked as well, moving a bit away from James. "You didn't mention any letter to me."

"We weren't going to bring this up until after dinner, but I don't have all night," Sebastian stood up, clearly planning to go home right after. "Ron, Harkin sent us a letter-"

"He sent me a letter," James finally spoke, his voice hoarse.

"Arthur, he just got home-" Molly started, but Arthur stopped her; he too wanted to know if Tracey's life was in danger.

"He wants you to drop out of the Tournament, Ronald," James said, looking at the end of his rope. "He knows you're only competing for a prize that he won't give, so he's telling us to not show up at all… He says nothing can change his mind, and that his only duty is to Ilvermorny… We're back to square one, again."

"Sharp prick… He's careful, I'll give him that," Ron shrugged, not looking half as bothered as he should be.

"Didn't you hear me?" James asked, looking angrily to Sebastian. "Sebastian, you said he was reliable! He's drunk out of his mind, while my daughter-!"

"Can you shut up?" Ron asked, becoming entirely rude once again. "I'm trying to think, stop panicking like a bitch. It's annoying me." Ron then shot a sorry look at all the food prepared for him, his left eye twitching. "Fucking Harkin, ruined my night even more…" Even more? Is that… Is that why he's drunk? What happened? "Well, he's sent us a message, loud and clear, right? It's time we send our reply."

"What sort of message are you thinking?" Sebastian asked, all but waiting on Ron, which was so odd that even Xeno took notice. "We can't start a fight, Ron. It's still his school, and he can bar us from entry if given the right reason."

"You're right… It is his school, his domain…" Ron nodded to himself, a grin already forming. "Yes… That will work! I'll be home a little later, bye!" Wait, what?! Ron!

"Ron?! Where are you going?" Molly asked, panicked. "Arthur?!"

"I'm going to Ilvermorny, mum! Lord Greengrass, please go tell Aunt Muriel that our plans are off tonight! The Aurors are doing extra patrols!" Ron sauntered out the front door, right into the freezing night. Muriel? What plans?! "Harkin expects me at the Tournament, so I'll show up earlier! Teach him that I can just as easily take the leaves if I want them!"

"What?! You're really going to Ilvermorny?!" Arthur called out, the first to chase Ron out. "Son, that's on the other side of the world! And why are you marching out here?! You'd need a Portkey, which the Ministry won't just hand over in a snap!"

"Are you going to fly there?!" Charlie asked, still amused. "Come back inside, it's freezing out here, you fool!"

"Sebastian! Do something!" Mary demanded, but the man looked just as helpless as the rest. "You've set him off, how could you-?!"

"FAWKES!" Ron suddenly roared into the night, his deepening voice echoing. "I need your help, you overgrown chicken! Flash me to Ilvermorny! We're going to teach them some manners down there! Some common fucking decency!"

"He's completely lost it, dad," Bill said to Arthur, while everyone else stared at Ron with pure bafflement. "He's calling out for the Headmaster's Phoenix, as if he could possibly have any-!"

An unexpected flash of brilliant orange exploded from behind them, high above like a star, and soon enough, the flames took on the form of Fawkes, shrieking piercingly as if going to war. Fawkes?! He really came?! How is that possible?! He only listens to Dumbledore! The sound of Fawkes' call was nothing compared to the maniacal laughter coming from the youngest Weasley son; his arm already extended for the incoming Phoenix.

"Hold on… I think, it's coming right for us!" Kirsten shouted a warning, but Fawkes quickly changed course, taking Ron's arm in his talon, and by Merlin's hairy balls; they both flew off into the night, with Ron cackling like a madman as he vanished in another flash of Phoenix Fire.

They all stood there for a few moments, ignoring Lysander's waking cries, all of them too shocked to make even the simplest of sounds, until finally, James slowly walked to the front of the pack, looking back to Arthur and Molly with a healthy mixture of shock and awe. "Sweet… Fucking… Gods… I never believed-… I don't even know what to fucking say… Did you see that?! He flew off!"

"He actually fucking flew off…" Charlie muttered to himself. "Kirsten, did you-?"

"I saw, Charlie…" Kirsten murmured, her eyes flashing. "And I really want to try it!"

"Gods, me too!" Charlie grinned, while Bill looked more disbelieving than astonished.

"Merlin help that school, and that fool Harkin," Arthur could only manage, pulling an amazed Molly into his side as he stared at the spot where Ron had vanished. Even a Phoenix listens to his call? I… Wow… That was really our son, wasn't it? That… was the most amazing thing I've ever bloody witnessed! Gods, that was brilliant!

---

Ronald Weasley's POV

Friday 19th March, 1994 (The Grey Mountain – Late Afternoon)

"I leave you alone for a few hours, and all of a sudden; we're flying on the other side of the world!" Ravenclaw Ron laughed, flying just as fast as Fawkes. "You're bloody mad, you are! An absolute nutter!"

Ron barely heard him over the sound of the wind breaking against his face. Oh, how he had missed flying, the rush was unlike any other! I might ask Ginny if I can borrow her broom! It'd be nice to have some control over where I'm going!

"Fawkes! Why are you taking us further into the mist?!" Ron called out; he still couldn't stop laughing. "Stop going up, go straight forward! I can't see anything!"

Being drunk certainly had its privileges, as Ron felt no need to listen to the nagging voice of caution that was always prattling on inside his head. Even now, flying through the clouds and the fog, a powerful talon acting as his only lifeline; Ron was happy! He was fucking ecstatic! Not only because he was flying, but also because of what he was flying to!

A Magical Castle waiting to be conquered! A mystery ready to be solved! A friend so close to being saved!

A bloody fight!

"What exactly are we doing?!" Ravenclaw Ron shouted over Fawkes shrieks. "Why is Fawkes so pissed?!" I think he can sense and mimic my emotions! Phoenixes are meant to be empaths!

"Harkin sent a letter to Mr. Davis, asking me to fucking withdraw!" Ron answered, unable to stop how pissed he felt. "Cutting me out of the conversation like that?! He doesn't respect me! It's my fucking choice to play, not anyone else's! I'm going to go say that to his face, because unlike him; I have bollocks! As for Fawkes! Well, I don't know! Maybe he agrees with me?!"

Fawkes let out another piercing cry, suddenly propelling them up with even greater force until they finally broke through the fog; revealing a clear blue sky overlooking a snowy summit. Fucking hell! Now, that's a view!

The snow was blindingly bright at this time of day, as if the entire summit was made of pearl, with one towering, grey castle sitting right in the centre; a dark jewel forever casting a shadow over its ivory crown.

Reaching for his Aspen wand within his pocket, Ron prodded about to make sure that the shrunken scans were still with him. A problem for another day!

"Aquila Oculis!" Ron chanted, placing the tip of the wand against his forehead.

His eyes ached painfully for a moment, but when he opened them; he found himself staring right at the laughing students in the large courtyard out front, each of them being watched over by the unblinking, marble eyes of Isolt Sayre and James Stewart; Ilvermorny's Founders.

"Fawkes, it's time!" Ron yelled, his heart pounding in his ears. "Announce us!"

The Phoenix shrieked so loudly that Ron nearly dropped his wand, the war cry washing over Ilvermorny like an avalanche. Ron grinned when he saw those happy faces look to the sky in fright, they couldn't even see him yet! This Spell is fucking amazing-!

An equally loud, but more bestial cry answered Fawkes, making Ron's arsehole clench up. The fucking Thunderbird! I fucking forgot about Ilvermorny's guardian! I think we fucking woke it up!

"What in the hell was that?!" Ravenclaw Ron asked, laughing like a lunatic as the clouds beneath them began to turn grey, cracking with lightning. "It sounded really pissed!"

"That…" Ron grinned, his eagle-like eyes turning crimson as his sharp teeth tore their way out of his gums. "… is dinner!"

---

AUTHOR'S NOTES: The most anticipated Arc is finally here! Thank you all for the many reviews as of late, they've meant a lot in recent days. Tough times. I'll try to write as often as possible, but I'm very busy at the moment, so expect there to be some weeks between updates, as I still like to write long chapters. It's a fanfic, and I feel like Fate is more of a Manga than a novel, anyway, so, it's fine!

See you guys soon!