Flames of Betrayal

Ron pulled away from Harry and looked at him in amazement and suspicion. "I thought you were catatonic. How come you aren't out of your mind?"

Harry looked at his friend with amusement. "You sound like you're disappointed that I'm not. I can try and go crazy if you want me to," he said with a grin.

Ron stared at him for a second then smirked. "Harry mate, you're already crazy."

Harry laughed aloud and squeezed his friend's arm in joy at having his friend back. "I didn't know what was going on. I was in my cell when I heard footsteps. I thought it was the guards coming to take potshots at the Traitor of the Wizarding World," Harry said sarcastically. "I blanked out and waited for them. Imagine my surprise when I saw Percy come into my cell, talking to me as if he cared." Harry looked a little bewildered by that.

Ron looked at Harry sharply. "Percy? Huh...who would've believed it? Then again, I haven't seen the bloke since your trial. I might have to change that," Ron said idly.

Harry glanced at Ron in surprise. "I thought you didn't like your brother."

Ron waved his hand in dismissal. "A lot of things have changed since you were convicted. I'll get to them later but right now, I want to know more about your "condition."

Harry nodded in understanding. "After I realized it was Percy I got very confused. When he told the guards to help me, I was even more baffled. I decided to keep pretending I was catatonic until I knew what was going on. I was portkeyed to the Infirmary where I proceeded to pass out. When I awoke and realized I was at Hogwarts, I got concerned. I figured they were moving me to a "safer" place but I wasn't for sure. I continued my deception when I heard the old fool and the werewolf come into the room. Madame Pomfrey discussed my "condition" with them and I decided that I would keep the deception going until I felt knew what was going on. They brought me to this room and left Dobby in charge of my care."

"I continued with my deception but somehow Dobby could see through it. He was very happy to know that I was all right, well as all right as I could be with eighteen months in Azkaban. He fed me and I fell asleep. I awoke to you and the old man talking. I had planned on staying catatonic until I heard you talking. I couldn't let you think that I hated you for what you assumed was your betrayal. I decided that I needed my friend more than I needed the deception."

Ron gripped Harry's arm in gratitude. "Thanks mate."

Harry smiled at him. "Now that you know I'm not catatonic maybe you can tell me what the hell is going on. I heard Percy say something about a pardon."

"The Malfoys were caught. When they were questioned, it became known that there was a plan to frame you for the deaths of some students. Draco Malfoy is the one who killed Ginny, Cho and Colin. Lucius Malfoy helped Voldemort at your trial. He was there under a polyjuice potion and he was the one to cast the spell to help you become more receptive to Voldemort's control. When all this came out, your pardon was granted and you were released from Azkaban. Merlin Harry, I'm so sorry for doubting you in the end. I just didn't know what to think," Ron said with a guilty look.

"Ron, you have nothing to feel guilty about. I understand why you never came to visit. I confessed under Veritaserum and you had no way of knowing that I manipulated into doing so. I forgave you the instant Voldemort took over my mind. You stayed by me before the trial. You were the only one of the very few who even thought I hadn't done it. I don't think I've ever told you how grateful I was for your support," Harry said emotionally.

Ron tried to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat. "You're my best friend, my brother. I know you Harry. I know the torture you went through when you had your visions. I know how you felt when Sirius died. There's just no way you could have killed anyone. There's no way in hell you would've killed anyone you thought of as family. Ginny was a sister to you and you loved her as such. Cho was someone you cared for as well. Colin was the annoying little brother who would constantly pester you but you cared for him as well. There was no way that you would have killed them. Anyone who knew you should've known that," Ron said angrily.

Harry smiled sadly at Ron. "Maybe but you know as well as I do that they didn't know me. They only thought of me as the Boy Who Lived, the one person who defeated Voldemort. At the first thought of me going dark, they turned on me. There were no explanations, no investigations, nothing. They didn't care. While I don't really care what the Wizarding World thought, the betrayal of my former friends is something I will never forgive. They should have known better, they should have known me better Ron. Dumbledore did nothing and I begged him for his help. I was a weapon Ron and since he lost control of that weapon, he could've cared less what happened to me."

"Let's not forget Hermione shall we. She was the very first person to turn on me. There is nothing in this world or the next that will allow me to forgive her. Voldemort could be torturing her in front of me and I would just sit back and watch. She was suppose to be my friend. Why Ron? Why did she turn on me?" Harry cried out in pain and anger.

Ron grabbed Harry and hugged him close. He felt Harry trembling in rage and pain. He wished there was something he could say to help Harry but he knew that nothing would help ease the pain that Harry felt. The same pain that Ron himself felt to a lesser degree. They sat there together with Ron holding Harry, waiting for Harry to compose himself. After a few minutes, Harry pulled back and gave Ron a grateful look.

"You know as I was coming to find you, Dennis Creevey stopped me," Ron said softly.

Harry looked at him warily. "Oh? What did he have to say?"

"He wanted me to tell you that he was sorry for what he had said to you, for believing that you were capable of killing his brother."

"Dennis was very close to Colin. I don't blame him being angry. He was grieving and the things he said, while they hurt, was not a surprise. Funny enough he never hurt me. He didn't know me well enough to know any different. After the one time he yelled at me, he never said anything else to me. Not even at the trial," Harry said.

"I told him that you wouldn't have any hard feelings about it but he wanted me to tell just in case," Ron explained.

"As I said before, it's not the Wizarding World opinion that hurt me. It was those I had considered my friends and family. They are the ones who betrayed me without thought," Harry said with a sigh.

"What about Lupin?" Ron asked curiously.

Harry's gazed hardened and grew cold. "He should've known better. He already had one friend framed and sent to Azkaban. What makes him think this could have been any different? He should have thought of that first. But no, Merlin forbid he should go against anything Dumbledore says. I don't know if I'll ever forgive him for that Ron."

Ron nodded his head in understanding. "And the Weasleys?" he asked with a sneer.

Harry looked at him with curiosity. "Ah yes the Weasleys. That reminds me, what exactly is the Emancipation Rite? You said earlier that you were going through with it."

"It's a ritual that happens when one wants to disown a family. By name and magic, I will no longer be a Weasley. I'll be giving up all that comes with being a Weasley. Not that there is anything worth being part of that family anymore," Ron said venomously.

"Ron, what happened? I figured with me in Azkaban your family would treat you better."

Ron snorted angrily and glared. "Not hardly. You might've been in Azkaban but I was also in a prison. I was going through hell Harry. After you were sentenced, my loving family decided that I hadn't paid enough for going against them. They proceeded to destroy my property, belittled and insulted me wherever I went, or ignored me depending on the mood. The twins decided that I needed to be taught a lesson so took me out one day and beat me."

"They sneered and jeered that I shouldn't have been allowed to live. I was seriously injured and they would have done more but my Father had come out to see what the noise was all about. He looked at the twins and told them to leave. He looked at me in disappointment and helped me into the house where I was given very little care, only the very minimum that would keep me alive. Merlin knows they couldn't let me die. Oh no! I had to live so that they could teach me the error of my ways," Ron said with such bitterness.

Harry gazed at him in horror. "Merlin no! Ron I...They...but...," Harry stuttered.

"Oh yes. That was just the beginning. While I didn't have another beating as bad as that, I was pushed, tripped and slapped whenever the mood struck them. Mum decided that I shouldn't eat as well as the rest of the family so I was given bread, gruel and whatever nasty food my mother could think of. I lost weight, not that I ate much. I was underage so I couldn't leave my family home and once I could, I didn't have the money."

"Merlin Ron. I'm so sorry," Harry said with a guilty look on his face.

"Why?" Ron asked confused.

"If you hadn't supported me you wouldn't have had to go through that. I can't believe that they would do that to you." Harry said with a shake of his head.

"Why are you surprised? They turned on you easily enough and they were supposed to be your adopted family. They considered you a member of the family but they had no problems with betraying your trust and love. What does it matter that it I was also betrayed. In some ways it makes perfect sense," Ron said.

"I may have been like family but I wasn't Ron. Molly didn't give birth to me and I wasn't raised by them. I was never actually a Weasley. I would've thought they would've cared more for an actual member of the family," Harry said sadly.

Ron snorted in disgust. "No they didn't care that I was family. What they cared about was that I embarrassed the family. I went against the Wizarding World and supported you. I stayed by your side and publicly declared you innocent. That is the reason my family," Ron said with a sneer, "treated me like they did. Now that you're out of Azkaban, I'm not leaving your side. You need me and I'll be there for you. It finally gave me the courage to do something I've been thinking about for months. I can't be a part of that family anymore. I don't want the Weasley name anymore. The very word brings to mind betrayal, pain and rage. I don't want to be associated with it anymore," Ron said adamantly.

"What are you going to be called then?" Harry asked curiously.

Ron shrugged is shoulders. "Not sure. I'll think of something."

Harry thought a moment. "You know I would give you the Potter name if I could don't you?" Harry asked anxiously.

"I know but you can't. No one not of Potter blood unless by marriage shall be given the Potter name. I know that. I don't need your last name to be your brother Harry," Ron said softly.

"Maybe but it would've been nice," Harry said wistfully.

Ron smiled at his best friend and said, "Yea."

Harry and Ron sat in companionable silence, each in their own thoughts. After a few minutes Harry perked up. "I have an idea," he said slyly.

"Oh?" Ron asked, intrigued by the sly look on Harry's face.

"I am the Head of the Potter family estate and the Black family estate. While I can't do anything about the Potter name, I can give you the Black family name. As the head of the Black family, I can do with it what I want. The family doesn't have the same conditions as the Potter's does, which is why I'm the head of the family. I can adopt into the family whoever I wish."

"As my first official act of the head of the Black family, I offer you the name of Ronald Bilius Black. As such you will have a right to the family fortune and property," Harry said rather pompously then grinned mischievously at Ron's stunned gaze.

Harry grinned softened into a smile. "Ron seriously, I would like you to take the last name of Black. Sirius would've approved. Also think of it this way, it'll piss off your mother," Harry said with a naughty grin. "Not to mention a few other people and quite a few purebloods."

Ron perked up at that. "I suppose it would at that. Thank you Harry. I accept your gracious offer. I don't need the fortune though. Just that fact that you offered the name is enough."

Harry shook his head. "No Ron. What's mine is yours. I trust you with it. If I hadn't I would've never made you my caretaker in case something happened to me. As a member of the Black family, you have every right to the money and properties the name offers. I'm not about to keep that from you," Harry said firmly.

Ron choked up and his eyes got teary eyed. "Damn mate, you got me sniffling like a girl," he said with a whine. "Alright, if that's what you want, then I'll allow it." He watched as Harry beamed brightly. "I have a condition too. Well not really a condition more like an idea. I've been thinking about it for years but now with all that's happened I think it would be a good thing."

Harry looked at him curiously. "What is it?"

"I know we can't share the same last name and we're not brothers by blood but I would like to perform the Cognatio Frater ritual," Ron said shyly.

"What does that mean?" Harry asked.

"It means Blood Brother. With this ritual, we would be bound together by blood and magic as brothers. It would be a sharing of our blood and magic. I would get a bit of your blood and magic and you would get a bit of mine. If scanned by any medical or revealing spells we would be recognized as being actual brothers. The bond would have to be recognized by the Wizarding World and cannot be ignored. If we perform this ritual by all rights we will be brothers," Ron said softly, watching Harry closely.

Harry stared at Ron in awe. "You want to do the ritual? I would finally have family?" he asked with a quiver in his voice. Ron nodded and Harry smiled brightly. "Yes! Let's do this."

"You sure mate?" Ron asked seriously. "Once it's done, there's no going back. We will be brothers until we die. The ritual is very special and it's not performed a lot because a wizard doesn't like to share their magic. They don't usually have the trust that is needed for the ritual. It can be dangerous. If the wizards who perform the ritual do not trust each other explicitly then they can die."

"Ron you know that I trust you with my life. I want to do this. I have no problems with you sharing my magic. I trust you with it. I have always thought of you as my brother and now I finally have a way to make that become true. I say we do it," Harry said with excitement.

Ron grinned at Harry in excitement. "Alright. We'll have to do it away from Hogwarts. I don't want the old man interfering in the ritual. He would try to stop it and I don't want that to happen. He is already unhappy about losing control of you," Ron said with a sneer.

"How did the manipulative bastard act when he found out he had no control over me?" Harry asked gleefully.

Ron gave Harry a smirk. "He was quite livid. He didn't say anything per say but the looks were enough to figure it out. He thought you had given control to Lupin so he proceeded to try and persuade Lupin to his way of thinking. Once I let him know that I was in fact your caretaker, he was not happy. I believe he was going to contest it until I brought up the contract that he so foolishly signed," Ron said with relish. "Oh Harry the look on his face was beautiful. I'll have to show it to you sometime."

Harry started to laugh. He always knew that the Headmaster would try to gain control over him somehow. He must've been angry to realize that a teenager had tricked him into signing the contract. Harry gave a sigh of joy at the thought of getting one over the all-knowing Dumbledore.

"Harry I thought you should know that I went to Gringotts today. I checked over your finances. Your estate was never frozen by the Ministry. The goblin in charge of your estate told me that there had been a Ministry decree signed by Fudge to leave your accounts open. I found several accounts that had been opened in the Potter and Black fortunes with Dumbledore's name on it. There were also several that had something to do with Hogwarts and the Order of Phoenix. There were other miscellaneous accounts that I knew nothing about. I had them frozen until they could be looked at. The accounts that included Dumbledore, Hogwarts and the Order of Phoenix were closed. I didn't do much on them. I figured I could go over them later to see what the hell was going on. Apparently, Dumbledore himself opened these accounts. I think that is one of the reasons he was not happy about me becoming your caretaker. He should find out sometime tomorrow that the accounts are closed."

Harry looked livid. "That bastard has been stealing my money. I assume I'm helping to support Hogwarts and the Order. Oh hell no! This will be dealt with Ron, don't you worry."

"My concern is what Dumbledore will try to do once he finds that the accounts have been closed. I don't think he thought I would check out your finances this soon. I have a feeling that he might try something to keep us here, even with the threat of the contract over his head. He has the ability to manipulate other people to do his job so that he doesn't get his hands dirty. We need to leave Hogwarts and we need to do it tonight when everyone else is asleep," Ron said.

"Alright but where can we go that Dumbledore doesn't know about?" Harry asked anxiously.

"Did you know that you have a castle in Ireland, some property in the US, Germany and I believe France? Wherever we go, we can use the Fidelius spell to hide the home. As long as we're out from under Dumbledore's watchful eye, I don't care where we go. He can't do much if he doesn't know where we are. It's my right as your caretaker to take you wherever I feel you're the safest and right now Hogwarts is not safe," Ron explained.

Harry nodded in agreement. "Alright, I think I would like to see the castle in Ireland. We need a secret keeper. You of course would be the obvious choice but it's a little too obvious. It needs to be someone that nobody would think of. Sadly there isn't anyone I would trust with this information besides you." He glanced out of the bedroom door and looked thoughtful.

"Dobby could you come here," Harry called out.

Dobby came into the room quietly. "Yes Harry Potter sir?"

"Dobby, Ron and I are going to leave Hogwarts tonight. We'll be sneaking out of the castle so that no one knows we're gone. Would you like to come with us? I need someone I trust to take care of me and my home," Harry asked his friend kindly.

Dobby's large eyes filled up with tears. "Harry Potter is a good friend to Dobby. Dobby would like to be Harry Potter and Wheezy's elf. Will Harry Potter bind Dobby to his family?" the house-elf asked with some trepidation.

"Bind you? Why would I want to do that?" Harry asked.

"That is how house-elves are used. Their magic is bound to the wizard's family and home. It decreases the chance of disloyalty and betrayal. Their magic is weaker if it's bound and they cannot disobey an order if one is given," Ron explained.

"No Dobby. There will be no binding of your magic. You're a free elf and you'll stay a free elf. If you decide to come with us, you'll have free reign over your magic. Personally, I think the stronger the better. I have no fears of you betraying Ron or me at all. You're my friend Dobby. I would never do anything to harm you," Harry said adamantly.

Dobby looked at Harry with adoring eyes. "Dobby chooses to go with Harry Potter and Wheezy. They are Dobby's friends and they need to be cared for. Dobby will never betray them. Dobby will always protect them until Dobby dies. This is Dobby's oath," the house-elf said firmly. There was a flash of light and Ron and Harry felt magic rush over them. They looked over at Dobby and to their amazement; they saw a taller, prouder looking house-elf. To Harry he had a slight glow surrounding him that he hadn't had before.

"Dobby what just happened?" Harry asked curiously.

"Dobby gives Harry Potter his protection oath freely. It is rare for a house-elf to do so. Dobby must protect Harry Potter and Wheezy so Dobby gives them his oath. It makes Dobby's magic stronger. Dobby is now a strong, free elf. Much better to protect Harry Potter and Wheezy with," the house-elf said proudly.

Harry and Ron smiled at the house-elf. "I'm glad Dobby. I'll call for you when we get ready to leave. Go and get anything that you need to take with you." Dobby nodded then disappeared.

"Well you learn something new everyday," Harry said after a few minutes of silence.

"You got that right mate," Ron said with a snort.

Harry leaned against the pillows and yawned. He was still very exhausted and his body was still somewhat weak from Azkaban. Ron watched as Harry blinked at him sleepily. "Harry go to sleep. I'll wake you when its time." Harry nodded and closed his eyes, falling asleep instantly.

Ron got off the bed and stretched. He walked towards the bathroom to take care of some business. Several minutes later he walked out of the bathroom and when into the main room. He looked around and debated what to do. He was startled by the knock on the door. He went to the door and opened it. Snape was standing outside. He stood back from the doorway and let the man in.

"How can I help you Professor?" Ron asked warily.

"I have some potions that Potter needs to take. It is for his malnutrition. There is also a couple of energy potions that should help him get around," Snape explained coolly.

"Thank you Professor. Harry just went back to sleep."

"Has there been any improvement in his condition?" Snape asked politely.

Ron gave the man a strange look. The Potions Professor was being nice. Well as nice as he could be. That was very odd. "No he's still not aware of his surroundings but then it hasn't even been a full day since he left Azkaban. I'm sure it'll take some time," Ron lied smoothly.

"Yes I am sure. I will leave the potions with you to be given to Potter whenever he awakens," Snape said. He walked over to the small table and set the bottles down. He turned towards Ron and nodded at him. He began to walk to the door then paused and turned around. He walked back to the table and brought more vials of potions out of his pocket. He glanced over his shoulder and gave Ron an unreadable look. "The Headmaster is not a happy man right now. He doesn't appreciate being shown up by a couple of teenagers. The contract he has unwittingly signed will not deter him for long. A person would be smart to relocate elsewhere before he has time to regroup. There are enough potions here to last a week." With that, Snape turned and walked out the door.

Ron stared at the door in amazement. Snape had as much as told him to leave before the Headmaster could try anything. Shaking his head in bewilderment, he walked over to the bookcase and grabbed a magazine on Quidditch. He sat down on the couch and began to read.