Chapter 1 Return of the Weasley

A/N: For everyone to know, this is three months after the last chapter (or so I guess would be when Ron returns).

Hushpuppy22 seemed to take issue to the lack of so called Warnings in the summary and decided to waste his time with a review. If you can't really tell by the fact that this story isn't even written Harry's POV that this is an Alternate Universe, told via a person who has radically different opinions of Harry's friends, then perhaps you should just stick to the books then eh? It's actually pretty difficult to fit a good summary into 250 characters so….

With that in mind, there is some Ron bashing in this chapter. But it's really only an exaggeration ( perhaps even an accurate representation) of what I think their reactions would have been to Ron abandoning Harry and Hermione.

" RONALD BILLIUS WEASLEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK HERE?"

Astoria woke up with a grumble, she'd only just fallen asleep a couple of hours ago. Cursed insomnia, and I can't risk becoming dependent on sleep potions she thought with a growl. She pulled a shirt on, and walked out into the growing storm of yelling. She decided to hide in the corner of the stairs.

She'd never seen Mr. Weasley that angry before in the entire time she'd been there. Based on what the other Weasleys said, this was a first for them too. His hair was almost standing up, and accidental magic was rolling off of him like he was a teenager throwing a tantrum.

Astoria had only a few times seen Ronald Weasley, but it didn't take a genius to know he was the last and least of the Weasley Bros. A mixture of all the bad traits of the Weasley clan, such as ill temper, jealousy, etc, with only a few good mixed in such as comedy and strategy, Ron was really easy to not like. Being a fifth year this year, she'd been around long enough to know about his famous spat with Harry Potter during her second year. The Slytherins had been very amused by the little tantrum Weasley had thrown, trashing his name even more than it already was. It was about this time that Daphne's journal said she had begun to develop feelings for Potter.

Mr. Weasley shouted, " Cowardice is not tolerated in this household! Get out of this house now!"

Ron protested, " But I have nowhere else to go! I can't go to Hogwarts, they'll kill me!"

Arthur grumbled, " Then we have a bit of a problem then don't we?"

Astoria walked slowly into the room, trying not to get noticed by Ron. It didn't work.

" HEY! Who's that?"

She groaned when Ron pointed at her. Arthur covered nicely, " She's…well..she's a temporary guest of the family."

Astoria frowned as Ron continued to fuss, " I've never seen her before! Is she Charlie's new screw?"

Astoria replied, " No, I'm not Charlie's new screw, if that's what you call your brother's girlfriend. Like your father said, I'm a temporary guest of your family. Better get used to me."

Ron chided, " Who are you?"

Arthur intervened, " Someone who is welcome at this house, which YOU are NOT at this time. Such cowardice I've never seen before in my life…"

" So what happened?"

Molly came in, flushed an even deeper version of the normal Weasley red, " Ronald here ran out on his friends in the middle of something important. Feels it wasn't his responsibility to stick with his best friends through thick and thin. Gives this family a bad name he does."

You mean worse than you already have? Wait I shouldn't be thinking that about the family that's been kind enough to help me these last few months Astoria immediately thought. Luckily, unlike Ron, she knew how to think before she spoke. She decided to see if she could use this to her advantage. " Ron? Where were you last when you ran out on Potter?"

Ron glared, " Why do you care?"

" Because it's rather important, and let's just say that Harry will have more to worry about than just Death Eaters if he doesn't help me."

Ron continued to glare, and began inching his hand towards his wand, " Is that a threat to Harry?"

" No, it's reality for Harry. His house owes mine a Debt of Bones."

Arthur choked on the pumpkin juice he was trying to drink to calm himself. He sputtered, " A Debt of Bones? Those stopped a long time ago!"

" Listen, I don't know all the details, but apparently House Potter contracted House Greengrass to carry out an assassination for them. They never paid for it."

Ron stuttered, " Wait? You're a Greengrass? I thought they were all dead."

Astoria darkened, " Yeah, thanks for reminding me about how my sister, my parents, and all my aunts and uncles are all dead."

Ron looked repentant, " Sorry."

Astoria glared at Ron, " My name's Astoria."

Ron lost his look, " You're Malfoy's little tart aren't you?"

Mrs. Weasley's hand to Ron's face beat Astoria's hand to her wand, " RONALD WEASLEY!"

Astoria hissed at Ron, " I am NOT Malfoy's little tart as you so nicely put it. I was his way of trying to get to my sister, like so many other cock strong idiots at our school."

That wasn't entirely true, Astoria had liked Malfoy a little, if only for the fact that he paid more attention to her than Daphne. But, like so many times in her life, she always had an inkling that Malfoy was just trying to get to her sister. After all, it wasn't exactly a secret that Draco was one of Daphne's most frequent turndowns.

Ron frowned, feeling the side of his face from his mother's slap, " Bloody hell that hurt. But anyway, bloody Slytherin you are."

" And there's a problem with that?"

Ron muttered, " Well, aren't you all supposed to be evil or something?"

" Not really, only idiots like Malfoy and his cronies are evil. Though for a house that prides itself on cunning, we've had our fair share of explosive arguments in the common room lately."

Ron chuckled, " Sounds like the Gryffindor Common Room. Me, Harry, and Hermione have had some…interesting rows there. Like the one about Harry's Potions book last year, that was a good one."

" You mean the three of you argued about a damn textbook? What are you? Nerds?"

Ron laughed, " I wish. Hermione was jealous of Harry's sudden ability in Potions class, and decided to try and find out what was going on. Your sister was in our class, I'm surprised you didn't already know about that. We had some rather fitful arguments in Slughorn's class too."

Astoria sighed, " My sister wasn't a very social person to begin with, Ron. It only got worse after her best friend left her to go to America."

Ron looked sad, " Damn that sucks. What happened?"

Astoria explained, " You so nicely called me Draco's little tart, but in reality, he was just trying to get at my sister. Malfoy was one of her most frequent suitors, and thus, most frequently scorned as well. You of all people should know that Draco doesn't take kindly to not getting what he wants. They had arguments many times. Some of them tended to get violent, and one caused Daphne's friend Tracey to transfer to Salem Witches Academy in America.

"Daphne hadn't liked to talk about it, but apparently Crabbe and Goyle had hurt Tracey in a way that may have affected Tracey's ability to have children. Something about her pelvis being shattered and heavy internal scarring. It led to a memorable confrontation between the two in the Slytherin Common room for all to see, me included.

"Long story short, Tracey blamed Daphne being a prude for her injuries, and demanded reparations. That led to a rather explosive use of magic and swear words that had the First years crying. And like that, she left. They hadn't been in contact for almost a year prior to Daphne's death. That had saddened my older sister greatly. Daphne never was very social, and she got even worse after that. "

Ron swore angrily, " Damn. That reminds me of Harry when I was in Fourth Year and everyone thought Harry had entered himself into the Tri-Wizard Tournament, myself included. Then again, I have a reputation for being a prat."

" It's rather well founded you know."

Ron sent her a withering gaze, " Gee thanks. But I guess the truth doesn't hurt."

" The truth is a weapon that can be manipulated like any other. It can also hurt far more than fear."

Ron was about to answer when his father came bustling in, " Bill and Fleur said they'll take you in. Granted, he isn't happy either, and Fleur said something's that even Molly wouldn't repeat, but they will take you in. Get your stuff together. The Connection won't hold much longer."

Astoria held a hand up, " One question. Ron, what do horcruxes have to do with the Dark Lord?"

Ron was shocked, " I-I can't say. I've been sworn to secrecy."

" Tell me what you can then. Potter's a dumbass for thinking the world's his apple to save, no matter what anyone says."

Ron grumbled, " We tried to tell him that too, but it seems he is more stubborn than most. Ok, it won't hurt to tell you what we think we know. Harry's got Slytherin's Locket, and it changes the moods of anyone who wears it. Me, Harry, and Hermione took turns, and we were always really surly wearing it. We think that Hufflepuff's Cup is in Gringotts. As for the Diadem? No idea. We do know that the Snake is with the Dark Lord himself. Oh, and be sure to not use his name. It's been Tabooed, something I found out the hard way."

Astoria frowned, " The one in Gringotts should be easy. A Horcrux is a Class 10 Dark Object. Rated: Potential Catastrophe. The Goblins could be evicted from Gringotts and Bound for keeping such a dark object in the bank without making an honest attempt to destroy it, assuming they know of it. If they don't, then I intend to bring it to their attention. I think it would make sense that Bellatrix Lestrange would keep it. She's insane, but she's also the Dark Lord's most trusted servant."

Ron looked at the pale girl in amazement, " How did you figure this all out? Me, Harry, and Hermione been trying for MONTHS to figure out where the Cup is. And I've never heard of a law like that."

Astoria laughed, " No offense, Ronald Weasley, but you and your family are known as Blood Traitors for a reason, Granger is a Muggleborn with skewed views, and Potter's just an idiot with hero notions. Don't deny it, you know it's the truth."

Ron gaped, but he knew she was right. She could see it in his eyes. Ron finally found his voice, " You sure you don't want to join Harry and his merry brigade of warriors?"

" Hey Ron, your village just called. They want their idiot back."

Arthur laughed, " And that Village is Peach Cottage. Now, say good bye Ron, and we will be seeing each other later."

With that, Mr. Weasley forced Ron through the Floo. He stood up, dusting his hands, " Now then, that's over. You said something about Gringotts?"

" Yeah, appears one of Potter's Holy Grail artifacts is there. I need to get there with arousing suspicion."

Mr. Weasley whispered, " Use our Floo to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Go to Gringotts, ask for Griphook. He's the only Goblin we know for a fact is on our side."

She nodded and stepped into the Floo, shouting, " Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes!"

5-1-1-6-6-7-79945-9456-945-6945-964-596-45964-596-45964-596-4956-4956-4956-9456-4956-4956-4956-9456-956-4956-4956-4956-4956-9456-4596-4956-9456-94569-435-6945-964-5964-59634-654-56

( WWW)

She came out of the Floo, with Fred Weasley staring at her. She asked, " What?"

Fred raised a curious eyebrow, " Father doesn't normally send things via our Connection. Generally because the Floo's being watched. So, what can I get you? One of our patented Day Dreams?"

She frowned, " No thanks. I've got business in Gringotts. But maybe on the way back."

Fred beamed as he helped her to the door. He opened it, and muttered, " Have a nice day beautiful."

She blushed slightly at his banter, but for the most part ignored him. She walked out into the sunny day, but made sure to keep her head covered. It wouldn't do for her to attract unnecessary attention. Especially from the Death Eaters sure to be roaming the streets. She approached Gringotts and walked in. Once in, she saw a Manager with the tag Griphook. She walked over to his desk and removed her hood.

The goblin sneered, " What can I do for you Miss?"

Astoria whispered, " I'd like to report a Class 10 Dark Artifact in the Lestrange Vaults."

Griphook paled, an interesting reaction. He whispered fitfully, " What is this object?"

Astoria whispered, passing a small list, " It is called a Horcrux, used by the Dark Lord to harbor a piece of his soul. I believe it to be in a small chalice with the Hufflepuff Seal."

Griphook instantly brightened, " Ah! I remember that transaction. Thought it was kind of strange that there was a sudden transaction from the Riddle Vaults to the Lestrange Vaults and all that was within was a little cup. This will be rectified. The charge will come from..?"

Astoria lowered her hood slightly, " Greengrass Vaults."

Griphook smirked, " Nice to see they haven't lost their edge after all these years. I will return momentarily."

Griphook left and Astoria suddenly had a bad feeling of intense foreboding. Sure enough, it wasn't Griphook who returned. It was the Goblin King Ragnok, a regal looking Goblin who was almost as tall as the average teenage human. He spoke, " Ms. Greengrass, I would like to report success on the operation you performed. But…,", as he spoke, Goblin Warriors began to advance into the room, " It has cost me the services of one of my best. I'm afraid that in exchange for his life, yours must now be taken."

Astoria paled (if possible), " Wh-What?"

Ragnok smirked, " Manager Griphook has died, and now you too, must pay the price. Surrender, and we will make it quick. If you fight, then your death will be painful."

Astoria looked around and sighed in frustration. Surrounded by goblin warriors wearing rather intimidating looking armor. She hissed, " I'm not at fault here. If your goblin made a mistake and died because of it, then I am not at fault."

Ragnok laughed loudly, " That's rich. You should know better than that around Goblins, Miss Greengrass. Now…"

Several flashes of green light filled the room and a couple of goblins fell dead. Ragnok looked at the windows, and Death Eaters swung in. Unsurprisingly, the voice of Lucius Malfoy sounded out, " This is a Transgression violating the Wizard-Goblin Treaty of 1932. An attack on a Pureblood, regardless of the situation, is an attack on the Wizarding World. Surrender."

Ragnok laughed, " Surrender? To Wizards? Surely you jest. Get them boys!"

Astoria ducked as Killing Curses and crossbow bolts flew all around her. She jumped up, and ran with her head down towards a passage way she thought might lead to the exit. She ducked behind a statue to avoid Death Eaters making their way to the main battle. She ducked out, and ran full tilt towards the exit, when she ran head on into someone else who was fleeing the battle.

A woman cursed, " Why can't people watch where they are going? Wait, I recognize you."

Astoria looked down, and glared at a prone Tracey Davis, " I thought you were in America, surely you would know better than come back to Britain during this time."

Tracey glared back at Astoria, " Yeah, right. "

Astoria looked around, and some pops indicated more Death Eaters apparating in. She grabbed Tracey's wrist, " We need to get out of here. "

" Tell me about it."

Astoria grabbed the brown haired woman's arm, and drug her through the entrance of Gringotts. She explained, " We need to get to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, we can get out of here from there."

Tracey scowled, " The Weasleys? Why them?"

" They're the only people with a secure Floo Connection. After we get out, we can begin to look for the rest of these Horcruxes that are supposed to be such a big deal in this war."

Astoria drug her in to the WWW store, with Fred asking," What's going on?"

" Gringotts is rebelling. Lock the store down!"

Fred paled, and George immediately began to activate the wards to the store. Astoria asked, " We need to use the Floo, can we get out to the Burrow?"

Fred smirked, " Of course! Go right ahead."

Astoria grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and tossed it into the fireplace, shouting" " The Burrow!,", dragging Tracey the whole way.

( Somewhere in the Forest of Dean)

" Wow…"

Harry smiled, " I told you I knew what I was doing didn't I?"

He stood up and slung a shirt on, " Now, we need to figure out where to go next. I think Godric's Hollow might be a good idea. We need the Sword to destroy this damn Locket."

" After that, I'm not sure I want you to destroy it."

Harry laughed, " I am naturally talented at something's you know. There's just something's you can't learn in a book."

"I'd say."

Harry grabbed his wand, " Well, time to move out. Your turn to wear the locket."

" But you're so much better…"

Harry cut Hermione off, " Not this time. You've already used that on me the last three days since Ron left."