Author Note: Let's switch back to the narrative mode… POV is fine but one should not abuse…
Harry sat, his back against the wall of their house of Godric's Hollow. He was tired, dirty, exhausted. In front of him, the charred body of Voldemort was laying on the ground. Although he was exhausted, he kept his wand on the, for sure now, dead body of his nemesis, which lay on the gravel, in front of the house.
At the same moment, Dozens of miles away, in his room, Ronald Weasley was having a hard time. He was currently trying not to yell at the unbearable pain that was spreading in his right arm. His sleeve was up on his arm. From a mark on his arm was rising a very smelly smoke. The mark was in the shape of a skull with a snake protruding from its mouth. To lessen the pain, Ron was trying to envelope his arm into a wet towel. He had already sensed the burning sensation of the master's call, but this was nothing comparable. Ron ignored that every death eaters felt the same thing at the same moment.
At Godric's Hollow, after ten minutes, nothing had moved. The malevolent spirit of Voldemort had been destroyed in the same time as the body. Even a little while before. The main door of the building opened. Hermione Potter appeared; her wand also pointed at what was left of Voldemort. Then, she turned to Harry and fell in his arms, in tears.
"How did he found us?"
"It's Ron," said Harry with difficulty, "It can only be Ron."
At The Burrow, the pain in his arm had finally disappeared. The mark that used to be black was now a nauseous purple. This was not good. Ron knew that You-Know-Who would attack tonight. It was Halloween. And the Dark Lord seemed to find funny to end, on the same night and on the same place, a job that he had began seventeen years before. But obviously, something went wrong. Ron didn't know how it was possible but his instinct was telling him that all his hopes were now vain. And if Harry Potter had once again triumphed on He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, he would put two and two together and he'll know how You-Know-Who had so easily found them. He was the only one to know their location. Without that information, the Dark Lord could go to Godric's Hollow and not be able to see them. In other words, he was going to be hunted, quickly. Thinking fast, with two or three movement of his wand, he packed his stuffs and disappeared with a little "pop".
At Godric's Hollow, Hermione helped Harry to stand. Together, they went to inspect the remains of their enemy. Near the dead body, they found Voldemort's wand. Harry snapped it on his knee. They went back home and called Dumbledore.
"Professor? Albus? Are you there?"
"Harry? Hermione? What's happening?"
"One half hour ago, the alarms went crazy in the security perimeter around our house. I went out to see what it was. It was him Albus, Voldemort!"
"What? But, it's impossible… Voldemort would never have the possibility to find you… Unless… No! It's not possible!"
"It's Ron, Albus. He was the only one to know. He was the only one with the possibility to say to Voldemort where we were."
"I contact Molly and Arthur and I call you back… Oh wait, I don't know where you are!"
"We are at Godric's Hollow, Albus, I don't think the secret is necessary anymore."
"You're right. I'll come to Godric's Hollow in person after I met with Molly and Arthur"
"See you later Albus"
"See you later Harry, Hermione!"
Ron made several hops, in public places preferably, where plenty of people could attest seeing him. Then he took another direction. Making little hops to be sure not to be spotted. His last hop was to a cellar, in Hogsmeade. It was Honeydukes' cellar. There, he went into the secret passageway. He was back to Hogwarts, hoping that nobody would think to dig him out there. He had food for several days. After that, he'd see. With the only light of his wand, he found a place to stay. He sat down on the ground and put his face in his hands. He cried bitterly for hours.
Dumbledore was busy speaking with Molly and Arthur. First surprised to see Dumbledore appearing in the middle of their living room, then scandalised by the accusations against their youngest son, Arthur and Molly were forced to see the reality of the situation. Not only they were used to the operation mode of the Fidelius charm, but also on top of that, when they wanted to ask Ron, they discovered that he had disappeared with all his belongings.
Later at Godric's Hollow
"… And thus, he disappeared with all his stuffs"
Hermione had tears rolling on her cheeks. She couldn't believe that Ron, their friend Ron, nearly one third of their life, had betrayed them. Until Dumbledore came to Godric's Hollow, Harry and she had imagined that Ron was captured and tortured. They had not thought about pure betrayal. The shock on her face was obvious. She spoke:
"What is done to find him?"
"Arthur has called the rest of the family, except Ginny, to make a research party. He also contacted the ministry of magic. Aurors are going to search for him too."
"And what if they find him?"
"What if they find him? Once he'll be found, he'll be arrested and sentenced to Azkaban… that's in the case where the ministry found him first… I mean, before the Weasleys…"
"What if the Weasleys found him first?" asked Harry, supporting his wife by taking her by the shoulders
"The notion of family honour is strong amongst the old wizarding families. At best, his name will be erased from the family tree… At worst…"
"Can we participate to the research Albus?" said Hermione, "He was our friend…"
Dumbledore looked at Hermione and Harry for one long minute before speaking:
"Okay… But you have to promise me that you won't do your own justice"
"We promise. If we find him, we'll turn him to the auror teams"
"In this case, I'm going to jump to the ministry… To announce the end of Voldemort… Be prepared to receive more visitors soon…"
"One last question Albus," said Harry, "Did Arthur and Molly inform Ginny of the situation?"
"Yes, they send her an owl. But as she is in class, she cannot participate to the research party for her brother"
"Thanks Albus!"
"Thank you, Harry. I know to which point that betrayal affect both of you. But there is some good in this evil act. Voldemort came here underestimating your power. And now, the world will be a safer place. Always try to see good in bad… I'll let you meditate on this… good night…"
And with a "pop", he disappeared.
Hermione seemed calmed for the moment. She had that determined look that Harry knew too well. It was the same look she had when she had decided to spend a night studying for her NEWTs…
"Are you ok sweetheart?"
"I've been better… but I'm fine. Do you think he is alive?"
"I hope that he is not… I now seriously doubt that he was captured and spilled so fast. From what Albus has said, he was at The Burrow when the attack took place. So he was not Voldemort's prisoner."
"So it means that our friend has betrayed us?"
"Yeah, seems so… It seems that history likes to repeat itself… At least partially…"
"What are we going to do if we find him back?"
"What we have promised that we'll do… I want to hear his side of the story. Then I'll neutralize him and I'll turn him in to the auror teams."
"You know, of course, that the betrayal of a Fidelius is considered as the use of an unforgiveable?"
"Yes, I know… Life sentence to Azkaban… I don't like it but…"
"Yeah, I know… there is little we can do for him…"
"I'll always consider him as a friend though… You know that, don't you?"
"Yeah, I know… Me too… Even if he does not…"
"Well, I guess there is little we can do tonight… We'll apparate tomorrow to Hogsmeade and to The Burrow, I want to talk to Molly and Arthur and the rest of the Weasleys… And Ginny too…"
"Ok, let's do that… You think you'll be able to sleep?"
"I don't know… Maybe I could use some dreamless sleep potion…"
"Lucky for you we have that around…"
And they went to bed for the night.
The news that Voldemort was defeated one more time and this time for good spread like a wildfire in a dry forest. Harry and Hermione were awakened by the alarms around their house. This time it was not any enemy. It was the ministry officials trying to gain access to the place where the corpse was laying since the preceding evening. Harry allowed them the passage. Since the fifth year of Harry and Hermione, there was an extremely deep change at the ministry. If a person was suspected to have any acquaintance with Voldemort, he was fired. So Harry was sure that those who tried to enter his domain were safe. Beside, the Order was there also, to give Harry and Hermione protection, if need be. The visit was short. And soon, the officials were back to the ministry to fill more forms about the death of the evilest wizard known to the wizarding kind. By lunchtime, the papers were having special editions with pictures of the site. Many wizards and witches tried to access the domain of Godric's Hollow, but that access was refused. Harry and Hermione's charms were too powerful. Beside, Harry and Hermione were not at Godric's Hollow. They were at The Burrow, speaking with Arthur, Molly and the other Weasley children. It was evident that the Weasleys thought that Ron had joined the Dark side. They said he never disappeared nor did he miss one meal. Bill was sitting in a corner of the living room, he was silent. Charlie was silent too… They were floored by the news. Percy, was home too… He was claiming that it was worse than using an unforgiveable, that he was worth the kiss of the dementors… He continued claiming such things until Bill who had muttered a silencing charm stopped him. Fred and George were dead serious. They had learned that there was a time for laughing and there was a time for being serious and they recognized the situation as one where being serious could help. They talked for a while. Molly kept saying that she was sorry that Ron betrayed Harry and Hermione; that she had failed with him miserably. Hermione then talked
"Molly, don't beat yourself. It's not your fault. Everybody must do his own choice in life. Maybe Ron saw fit to go to the Dark side because it was his way to be different from his brothers. Maybe he was jealous of Harry once more, once too much… Maybe we hurt him without even knowing it. We don't know. And we won't know until we find him. So instead of crying our eyes out, we'd better organize ourselves to search for him"
"I doubt he went outside England… You need an authorization to leave the English territory by apparition or by floo powder. And if he asks for such an authorization, he knows he won't be able to take profit of it. So that means he is still in England, hiding somewhere. But where?"
"So here is what I propose," said Harry, "Bill and Charlie, take the south of England. Fred and George, you could search in London. Percy, you could search Wales and Cornwall, Arthur you should search Scotland. Molly, you'll stay here and you'll coordinate us. What do you think?"
"Where are you going to search?"
"Well, Hermione and I will search Wales and Scotland, Wales because that's where we live now and Scotland because that's where we are heading now. We wanted to see Ginny, to see how she's coping with the situation."
"Albus let her talk through the fire this morning after she had received her owl. She was so angry at Ron. She used some pretty rare insults toward him. Not that it will help… But Ginny knows how much you valued your friendship to Ron and she was devastated to know that he betrayed you. She said that she'd like to talk with you two…"
"Ok then… now that we know what to do, let's go… Hermione?"
"I'm just behind you"
Their apparate to Hogsmeade in one jump. They went to Hogwarts with one of the horseless carriage. That time, Harry and Hermione could see the Tresthals. And for Hermione, it was not a happy sight. They went straight to Dumbledore's office. Harry had his invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map with him. He had not used them until now.
Once they saw Dumbledore and once he gave them the permission to fetch Ginny Weasley from her class, they went to search for her. She was in her advanced potion class. Fortunately for Harry and Hermione, it was not Snape who was giving the lessons anymore. Poor Snape was killed by his master at the beginning of the summer. No one had ever thought that Ronald Weasley could have been the doom of Severus Snape. They fetched Ginny from her class and they went to the lake. There, they could discuss at will without being interrupted…
They walked in silence for a while… Then Ginny stopped…
"Look, I know that you must be pretty angry at him now…"
"Not Ginny, not angry… we are sad for him… He's alone now… And so are we… And we don't even know why he did this…"
"Well I think I know… Partly…"
"You know?"
"Well, yes… Partly… Did you know that he fancied you Hermione?"
"Yes, I knew it," said Hermione softly, "But I never made anything to make him believe that I was interested."
"That's true. But you know… Ron's mind work differently… I know for sure that he misunderstood your silence. He thought that maybe you were too shy to react positively… See, Ron was really insecure… You know this Harry… He had to live after five brilliant brothers… Not an easy task. And then he came to Hogwarts and met you Harry. Of course it's not your fault, but you were already a legend when you came. He was only Ronald Weasley, sixth son of Arthur and Molly Weasley… He had a thirst to prove himself… But he was only seen as your loyal friend. He smiled, but deep inside, he was hurt… I think what made him snap, was that Hermione had feelings for you, Harry. Once again, you had something he wanted desperately. I'm surprised you didn't notice that his smile had changed after Christmas of your sixth year. He smiled, yes, but the smile was rarely reaching his eyes… And now, he betrayed you. I thought he would distance himself from you two but not that he would betray you…"
Ginny started to sob
"I'm so ashamed to be his sister now… My name will be associated to a death eater… It's like everything that happened in second year is happening again… I can't stand that… I hate him now… If only he had the courage of a true Gryffindor and if only he had the courage to talk to both of you… You may have thought about something… But no… He had his temper and he shut himself down. He smiled, but with each smile, his heart turned to stone… He is not my brother anymore…"
Ginny was now crying freely… Along with Hermione… Harry got both of them into a hug. A long time later, Ginny raised her eyes and asked:
"Are you mad at me?"
"What? Why would we be mad at you Gin?" asked a baffled Harry
"Because I'm a Weasley… I should not even be allowed to talk to you…"
"Ginny," said Harry harshly, "I don't want to hear another word from you. You still our friend. We need you now. And you need us. Our door is always open if you want to talk or to have a place to hide from life. We want you to talk to us. As for Ron, what is done is done. Nothing can change the past. Not even with a time-turner. Beside, I wouldn't want to change anything now that old Voldie is dead. Ron will stay our friend. Even if we never see him in our life or in his. He was and always will be my friend. If he can't see this, then it's his loss… And I can speak for Hermione too in that matter…"
Hermione was nodding at Harry' side. Ginny started to sob again.
"You guys are so great… He doesn't deserve to have friends like you…".
The rest of the morning passed quickly. Harry and Hermione were invited by Minerva McGonagall for lunch. Ginny said her goodbyes and went to the Gryffindor table.
"She has changed…" said Harry.
"We all have changed…" said Hermione.
Hand in hand, they went to Professor McGonagall's office. At her door, they stopped… They didn't know the password and Minerva was nowhere in sight. Harry took the map from his pocket and said the ritual formula. Immediately, lines and dots were visible on the map. Harry search for a moment for the dots labelled Harry and Hermione. Once he found them, he pointed his wand at the door. On the map, a small message appeared with Minerva password in it… Harry smiled and was ready to give the password when Minerva McGonagall arrived:
"Still playing with that map Mr Potter?"
"Oh, hello professor… In fact we were breaking and entering your quarters…" he said with a smile. But his smile stopped and his eyes went wide. For a brief moment, in a far corner of the map, a dot labelled Ron Weasley had furtively appeared and disappeared immediately.
Sensing the change in his husband attitude, Hermione looked at the map, but saw nothing.
"What is it Harry?"
"I think that I just have found Ron!"
"What?"
"I saw him on the map!"
"It's impossible Harry…"
"Why? The map never lies… You know it. Back in third year, that's how we discover Peter Pettigrew. He is here…"
"But where?"
"I don't know but I'm going to find it."
"Ok, Start to search… I'm going to warn Dumbledore, Don't start without me… Professor, please, could you…"
"You can count on me Hermione… Harry won't move from here…Even if I have to transfigure him into an anvil."
Hermione ran… She went across the Great Hall under the gaze of all the students. She ran to the teacher table and spoke to Dumbledore quickly. He listened to her and stood up when she had finished. He followed her when they exited the Great Hall.
Ginny Weasley knew something was happening when she saw Hermione running. From one of her pocket, she took a "long ear" and listened to the conversation. So Ron could be on Hogwarts' grounds? If it was the case, Ginny knew where, without hesitation. How silly of her to forget to think about that secret passageway… When Hermione and Dumbledore left, she rose from her seat, exited the Great Hall and exited the castle. She took Harry and Hermione's carriage and went direct to Hogsmeade. There, she went straight to Honeydukes. Once inside, she waited for her moment and got down to the cellar. There she quickly opened the secret passage.
Meanwhile, Harry had seen the dot labelled Ron Weasley again. He was in the secret passage that led to Honeydukes. When Hermione and Dumbledore came, Harry was ready to move. Dumbledore accepted to go and warn the aurors and the Weasleys. Harry and Hermione moved to the passage and quickly got down in it. They saw him before he had the time to retreat. With a quick 'expelliarmus', Harry took his wand. He faced them.
"So, Found me back Potter? And the mudblood is with you? I'm surprised that you have to guts to be there… Why aren't you in my mother's skirt, crying your eyes out on poor Ronald Weasley that had to disappear?"
"Shut up Ron…" said Harry
"Oh… Is that so? Little Potter thinks he can shut me up. Let me tell you something. You're not my master, you don't command me…"
"I know that Ron… I never tried to command you… But I see that your loyalties have changed" said Harry pointing to the dark mark on Ron's arm.
"Indeed, Potter… My 'loyalties' have changed! Have to say something about it?"
"I want to know why Ron? Why you didn't talk to us about the whole situation? Why you let yourself go into such a situation? Why you did what you did? Why that sudden hate for us? As for your loyalties, I wouldn't be proud of them Ron. I killed him yesterday evening. But I'm sure you know that… Since you are hiding in this… cave…"
"I know that you killed him. It doesn't change a thing though… You want to know why? Potter. Why I hate you? Why I hate your mudblood of a wife? I'll tell you… You disgust me Potter. I've hated you since third year. Remember the clearing? After the three broomsticks incident? You were crying. Crying is for weaklings, Potter. And then, already, you stole what was mine."
"What did I do?"
"Oh, you didn't do anything, but your wife had had a great day with me so far but when she saw you like that, she ran to your feet… like the good puppy she is… I knew then that whatever I would do, I would always come second in her heart. You disgusted me. I hated you for your kindness. You are weak Potter. And you," he said to Hermione, "I kept trying, hinting that I wanted to be more than your friend but you kept distancing yourself. I try to draw your attention on me but it was always Harry, Harry, Harry… When you both came back from Christmas break in our sixth year and when you said that you were together, my heart stopped. You had my heart in your hands and you ripped it. I hated you too from this moment on. But I kept the face of the good friend. Weaklings can be used… And friends are so easy to mislead. When you asked me to be your secret keeper, I knew that I had succeeded. The next day, I became a death eater. I had my vengeance over Snape, turning him to the Dark Lord as a spy. And then I told him where to find you. The very next day you thought you were safe, you were in danger already. For a reason that I ignore, You-Know-Who decided to wait until Halloween… And here we are now… I still hate you… And now you've taken the only thing that was left from me… My vengeance… I suppose there are aurors at both ends of the passage… I prefer living the rest of my life in Azkaban than seeing you two one more minute. So if we could go…"
"NO!" as voice said in the dark, "Nobody will move from their spot or there will be bad things happening…"
"Ginny?" said Hermione
"Shut up Hermione… It's a Weasley affair now… Both of you get out of here… I'll deal with him…"
"But Gin…"
"No Harry, as I said earlier, I'm ashamed to be his relative… He does not deserve to have friend as you. No matter what he said, you still consider him as your friend? What are you? Saint or something? I'm not a saint."
Then she turned to his brother:
"Ronald Billius Weasley, you're going to write everything down on a parchment… And then we'll talk some more… Now Harry and Hermione, please go… Let me deal with that jerk my way…"
Harry and Hermione retreated to the exit of the passage. Outside were four aurors waiting for them. Harry thought that there would probably be four others at the other end of the passage. They went in as soon as Harry and Hermione went out…
Later, one auror approached them and explained them that they had found Ginny Weasley next to the body of her brother. She was clutching a piece of paper on which he had written a confession and his desire to end his life honourably by the mean of a poison. Ginny Weasley was brought to the Ministry for interrogation. She confessed giving Ron the choice of a honourable death or the life sentence to Azkaban. She said that Ron chose the poison as a last act of love toward his family. She was not held for giving poison to her brother but that act broke her heart beyond repair. And although the Weasleys agreed with the way she had dealt with Ron, she couldn't look into her mother's eyes for a long time.
Ginny Weasley ended Hogwarts first of her year. She had a number of NEWTs nearly equivalent to one Hermione Granger. She was often seen in Wales. She lives far away from her family. There is no hate between them, but the memory of her brother is still too painful. Later, Harry and Hermione had a son; they named him Ronald Sirius Potter, in memory of their friend. Ginny was his godmother.
The End…