A Badgers Love

Chapter 14

"Surprised to see me Potter?" asked Ron.

"A little," said Harry. "Where have you been? Your mum's been worried about you. Everyone has."

"Traveling mostly," said Ron. "Had to stay on the move, you know. Being a wanted fugitive and all that."

Harry felt a wave on unease wash over him. There was something wrong with Ron, aside from his new look. He was much more powerful. So much so, Harry could feel his magic.

"What are you doing here Ron?" asked Harry.

"Just came to see my old friends," said Ron. "And Hogwarts. Been a while since I've seen the school as well. I think I left my trunk when I was last here."

Harry felt Neville tap his foot with his own foot and saw his friend tilt his head to the side a bit as he indicated a couple of aurors that had been placed on duty there since the dark mark had been spotted recently, as they snuck up behind Ron.

Unfortunately for them, Ron had spotted their reflection in a window and quickly pulled out his wand and shot off a couple of killing curses, ending their lives before they knew what hit them.

"NO!" shouted Harry.

Ron turned back to look at Harry and smiled again.

"How could you do that?" asked Harry, his voice full of emotion.

"Quite simply really," said Ron. "I'm not the same person you once knew. I am much more powerful thanks to Voldemort. He taught me how to harness my magic. To focus is... You know, Hermione was right. All I had to do was put forth the effort and study... Now look at me."

"I am," said Harry. "And I don't like what I see."

"Well, get used to it," said Ron. "Because this is the only version of me there is. The only one you will see in what short time you have left to live."

"I don't want to have to fight you Ron," said Harry.

"That's too bad," said Ron. "Because if you don't, then I'll just kill you outright... And then maybe I'll start killing everyone else here to prove to the world that I am more powerful than you. Just like I proved I was smarter than Voldemort when I killed him."

"What?" asked a surprised Harry.

"Oh, yes," said Ron. "I slit his throat while he slept. He woke up of course. Which was actually a good thing. He was able to see that I was better than him. He thought he could manipulate me... How wrong he was."

"But if he's dead... You," said Harry as he started to understand. "You're the one attacking people and leaving the dark mark. You burned down your home."

"That place was no longer my home," spat Ron. "That was the home of a weakling. Someone that decided to leach off of someone more powerful than he was in order to make himself feel better about how pathetic his life was. No... That person is no more. Ron Weasley is dead. I am much more than he used to be."

Harry barely had time to react as he saw Ron start to fire off various deadly spells, and tackled Neville to the ground. He then quickly got to his feet and cast his most powerful shield charm, which unfortunately didn't last long under the barrage of spells that Ron was sending his way, while everyone that had been standing there and watching ran for cover inside the closest shop.

"What's wrong Potter?" asked Ron, his voice full of venom. "Is poor ikkle Ronnie-kins too much for you?"

"Don't make me do this Ron," said Harry as he continued to dodge and block the spells heading his way. "I don't want to fight you."