In Which Ron Weasley Plays Dumbledore
"What?!" Ron shrieked as he stared at the headmaster, dumbfounded.
"I need you to get friendlier with Neville Longbottom," Albus repeated, blue eyes narrowed and glaring over his half-moon spectacles at the redhead. "I believe Harry may be keeping in contact with him." They were meeting in the Burrow while the rest of the Weasley family had been sent on an 'errand'. Hermione was by her boyfriend's side, rubbing his back sympathetically.
"You know it's necessary, Ron," she said softly, unaware of the dark thoughts the redhead had for the muggleborn. He'd learned in second year that his 'girlfriend' was a spy, and used her shamelessly to disseminate inaccurate information to the headmaster. He also knew that he had to be careful; she had glued herself to his and Harry's sides like the inhaero in perpetuum charm. Harry, so Weasley thought, was completely oblivious to Granger's ulterior motives; apparently the headmaster had promised her something when he first visited her before she began Hogwarts, bur Ron wasn't sure what it was. The twins, however, had been working on the problem ever since, and were sure they were close to an answer.
"Why me?" the redhead whinged convincingly. "I mean, I hate talking to the squib. He's so whiny."
"Now, Ronald," the headmaster rumbled in warning, "you know full well why he's like that. He still hasn't recovered from the attack on his parents, and he has his grandmother, as well as his parents, to remind him of that unfortunate incident every time he goes home. I know you have some compassion for him within you; use it to befriend him in the same way that Harry has."
"All right," Ron groused petulantly. "If I must." The beaming smile Dumbledore shot Weasley made him grit his teeth hard to keep the words he wanted to scream behind his lips. Just you wait, old man, he thought viciously, your day is coming, and you can take the beaver with you.
Hey, Nev,
How are you? I just had a meeting with old Bumblefuck, and he's asked me to 'make friends with you' in order to keep tabs on Harry. The Bitch is throwing her unwanted two cents into it, so I'm 'obeying' my master.
How is the courtship between you and Luna going? She's a brilliant girl, and quite the strategist. Makes even me feel like an amateur at times. Grab onto her with both hands and hold on tight.
I don't know if Harry's aware of my allegiances, or if he's aware that Mum and the others are also behind him one thousand percent. I don't want to send Pig to the Dark lair; I'm afraid that his hyperactivity will drive Tom spare, and I don't want to lose the little guy. The fluffy little pest is the only good thing to come out of the 'relationship' between Black and Harry.
So, could you send this letter to Harry with one of your owls? The Dark Lord has adjusted his wards so that only mail from Harry's true allies can get through. By the by, I've ensured that only you can read this. Wouldn't want that old bag that calls herself your Gran to see our plans.
Catch you on the flip side, as Harry is fond of saying.
Ron
Hey Ron,
Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely keep my head down and my eyes and ears open around your 'girlfriend'. I've sent your letter, along with mine, to Harry, and I'm sure that we'll receive a response soon enough.
Luna is wonderful, and I've actually proposed to her. We'll have our bonding ceremony after she graduates. She read that part about her brilliance, and she couldn't stop blushing and smiling for hours afterward. Thanks mate. I'm glad that she's impressed you so much.
You, yourself, are also quite brilliant. You'd have to be, to hide so much of your true self from everyone. I'm glad that Severus is able to see past both yours and my masks, to see the true Slytherins beneath.
Speaking of, did you have as much trouble convincing the Sorting Hat as I did? Merlin, but that piece of talking felt is stubborn.
I see what you're saying about Pigwidgeon; he is quite the energetic little fluffball. Gran thought he was a rather large moth for a moment, and tried to swat him. Fortunately, I was able to rescue him from a rather sound thumping, and I lit into her, but good, for not recognizing the tiny thing as an owl. Needless to say, she's not talking to me at the moment. Too bad that she can't keep her mouth shut forever. Can't wait to be able to be shut of her, once and for all.
I'm looking forward to this year at Hogwarts; it's bound to be fun.
Later.
Nev
Hey, Harry,
I'm writing to let you know that I've always been, and always will be, on your side, as is Mum and the rest of my family. I am well aware of Granger's purpose in 'befriending' us, and I've done as much misdirection as I safely can to protect you and your secrets. I'm sure you didn't know that she has always been Dumbledore's spy, and that she was telling him everything we said or did. Unfortunately, with her head up our arses all the time, misinformation was bloody difficult.
How're Draco and his family treating you? You eating enough? Merlin, I don't know how you survived as long as you did with the meager scraps those fucking beasts fed you. You'll have to tell me your secrets.
You kiss the Dark Lord yet? I wish I was there when you read this, so that I can see you blush and stammer like a six year old. It's so hard to embarrass you; when I can, it's a thing of beauty. I know about your crush; I saw it after you killed the basilisk and rescued Ginny. You couldn't stop talking about how beautiful the sixteen year old Tom was. I came close to hexing you several times, just to get you to shut up about it.
I know he's not truly snake-faced. One of the times I'd met with Severus, he was there without that disgusting glamour. I must admit, he's a fine looking man, but my tastes run more toward blonde-haired, silver eyed young men. I think you know where I'm going with this.
We've claimed the Prewitt legacy, and all that comes with it. So now, I can court Draco the way he deserves, without embarrassment. I just hope he accepts.
I've rambled on enough, so I'll just close with this. You have more allies in the school than you think.
Love you forever, brother.
Ron
Hiya Harry!
How's my favorite Slytherin in Gryffindor's clothing? I hope that the Malfoys and the Dark Lord are treating you right.
Ron informed me of Granger's betrayal, and her true purpose in befriending you. That sucks big fat hippogriff dick. You deserve so much better. You've always been kind and generous to those you consider friends, and it takes a lot for you to turn away from them. I blame that completely on the muggles, by the way. If they hadn't have treated you so deplorably, you wouldn't have been desperate enough to latch onto anyone who had showed you the least amount of kindness.
You have many allies, in very unexpected places. I suspect that the Dark faction is, even now, informing you of your wide circle of supporters. Don't turn away from them because of who they follow, or what they've done in the past. We were all taken in by Saint Dumbledore, and you weren't the only one who had suffered because of his manipulations. Just keep that in mind.
Luna says 'hello', and wishes that she could see you. You've become a big brother to her, and, since she has no one else but her father as family, that's a huge compliment. You know, better than anyone, her powers of Sight. You never abused or humiliated her for the way she talked, and she loved you almost from the moment she met you. Her mother had come to her in a dream, and told her of you; of what you would do for her. At first, she wasn't sure; after all, you are the Boy Who Lived. She wasn't sure you'd even give her the time of day. When you smiled at her, and talked to her about her 'fantastical' creatures, you had her on your side. Other than myself and Ron, you were the only real friend she's ever had.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley wanted to adopt you, you know. They even went to the Wizengamot to petition for custody of you. But, since the all-knowing grand wizard himself was there, he quickly pointed out their poverty, and the fact that there were already too many mouths to feed. This is what tipped them over to your side; the fact that the great manipulator would rather see you suffer than see you happy. He'd also kept the information about the Prewitts' wealth from them, and enforced their poverty. It took quite some time for the goblins to unravel all of the red tape that the old man had put in the way, but they're now in possession of all that was due them.
Ron has informed me that he is to 'make friends with me' so that he can get more information about you for the headmaster. So, we've started this letter writing campaign, and will let some 'secrets' slip once in a while. I miss you terribly, and can't wait for all of this to be over.
Your brother
Nev
Harry stared at the letters in his hands, a small smile on his face. He'd never even known that Neville was on his side, but he was exceedingly grateful. He'd like the shy Gryffindor from the start, but was sure that his 'fame' had somehow put the other boy off of a friendship with him. To be told that Neville not only had his back, but was working with his other allies to free him from the headmaster's tyranny was liberating. And Ron. That was completely unexpected. Sure, he'd had Draco's assurances that the Weasleys were on his side, but to have actual, visible proof lifted a weight from his shoulders that he hadn't even known was there.
Smirking, he gave Ron's letter to Draco, watching the blond with anticipation as he read through it. The raven chortled as he saw the shock enter silver eyes at the redhead's proclamation of love for the Slytherin, then glared at Harry, irritated at the laughter at his expense. "What?" the teen said, hands up in surrender. "I think it's sweet. Don't you?"
"My father expects me to marry a witch," the blond said softly after a few moments. "I'm not sure he'll accept that I have feelings for another man, let alone a Weasley." Unbeknownst to the pair, Lucius was hovering in the doorway of Harry's rooms, listening to the conversation carefully.
"Ron loves you," Harry told the other teen quietly. "He would never have said it if it wasn't true. With the Prewitt name behind him, he has so much to offer you. Don't turn away because of your father's messed up ideals."
"I agree, son," the elder Malfoy finally joined the conversation. Both teens jumped in shock, turning to look at the older man in the doorway. "Don't turn your back on this. I would never condemn you to a loveless marriage. If this is who you want, then you have my blessings."
Headmaster,
I've been in communication with Neville, as you wished, and I've been able to glean some information from him, in the guise of trying to 'help' Harry. He hasn't heard from Potter since he was abducted from the muggles. Neither of us are sure if Harry will show up at Hogwarts for his sixth year; none of Neville's owls seem to be getting through the wards surrounding Malfoy Manor.
He has, however, heard from the spy in the snake's den, and was reassured that Harry would be coming back to school. The Dark Lord is torturing him, trying to break him so that he can be remolded into a puppet for the Dark. According to the spy, He Who Must Not Be Named has nearly succeeded, so prepare for Potter to be different. I'll send you more information as I have it.
Ron