Summary: When Ron begins acting strange and threatens the safety of himself and others it's up to his family to figure out what has happened to the once mischievous, playful, 7 year old boy.

Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with J.K. Rowling or the Harry Potter franchise. I just enjoy writing fanfictions with the stolen character.

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Prologue

Night began to envelope the small cottages nestled amongst the thick forest. Streaks of pinks and purples gave way to navy blues and twinkling stars in the sky. Warm yellow light poured out of the windows of a small, stone house tucked right in the centre of the forest. Within the house, the inhabitants were preparing for bed,

The youngest walked around the house, drawing the curtains closed. She stopped suddenly and smiled as she caught sight of her father and brother emerging from the trees, tired after a long day of labor.

"All right, girls," the mother called from the kitchen. "Brush you hair and get into your pajamas. Once you're in bed, your father will read you a story."

Both girls smiled and raced off to the bedroom. The house was small, which meant both daughters had to share a bed in the room they shared with their parents and brother.

After brushing their long, black hair and changing into their night dresses, they crawled into their bed and listened as their father greeted their mother and made his way to the bedroom.

"I see my children are eager to find out what happens next in our story," the father chuckled as he looked upon his waiting daughters. "What did you learn today, Alice?" He sat on the edge of the bed and opened the leather-bound book that had been placed on the shelf above the bed.

"Mama taught me how to use the levitation charm today," the eldest daughter replied. "I was able to levitate a quill and Sophie's woolen hat."

"Such a bright girl," the father beamed. "Did you both help your mother with the washing up and the gardening?" Both girls nodded with smiling faces.

"Wonderful," the father chuckled. "Well, let's not waste any more time. Where did we leave off?"

"You stopped reading just as the prince reached the dragon's lair and met up with the dragon," replied Sophie eagerly. "Please read it papa. We've been waiting all day to find out what happens."

"All right. All right," the father laughed. "Let's not waste any more time." He leaned against the headboard, propping himself up with a pillow, and began reading.

As he read, both girls stared at the pictures with anticipation, gasping as the father read about the brave muggle prince fighting with a fire-breathing dragon to save the maiden trapped within the dragon's lair.

"I think we should leave the happy ending for tomorrow night," the father announced as he closed the book and set it back upon the shelf. "It is quite late and we should all be turning in."

He kissed the foreheads of both of his daughters and tucked them in beneath the quilt their mother had made for them.

"You're still a bit warm, Sophie," the father stated as he placed the back of his hand on Sophie's forehead. "Have you taken your potion tonight?"

"Yes, papa," Sophie replied softly.

"Good girl. Sleep tight, my daughters," the father whispered as he doused the light and walked back to the kitchen where his wife and son were washing up.

He sat at the table and leaned back in his chair, finally allowing himself to relax for the night.

"Did you show mum the wood we brought home, papa?" the son asked as he sat across the table from his father.

"I did not," the father replied. "Did you leave it in the pile, David?" The son nodded and looked over at his mother.

"While gathering wood for the fire we discovered the strangest tree, mum," David explained. "We didn't notice until we chopped it all down, but there were markings all over the inside; like someone had carved out messages in the wood."

They were interrupted suddenly as the front door flew off its hinges. The father quickly leapt to his feet and pulled his wand from his pocket. Both his wife and son grabbed for their wands and faced the hideous beast emerging from the darkness outside. With a wave of its hand, the beast sent the three wands flying across the room.

It had to duck its head as it entered the small, stone house and was just able to stand at its full height once inside. It was as though the beast's body was not fully corporeal. It seemed to be between shadow and flesh; completely black except its angry red eyes. The beast half floated, half walked, into the kitchen and growled threateningly at the terrified family.

Alice and Sophie scrambled out of their bed and ran to the bedroom door to see what was happening in the kitchen. Their father turned and looked horrified to see them standing in view of the beast.

"Girls! Back into your room and close the door!" he shouted.

Alice grabbed Sophie's hand and tried to pull her back into their bedroom, but Sophie wouldn't budge.

The beast threw its head back and let out an evil cackle before pulling its left hand into a fist. The mother screamed and dropped to her knees, appearing to be in an overwhelming amount of pain.

"Helen!" the father shouted. Both he and David raced toward the mother, but froze on the spot as the beast slapped both of its hands together. It growled loudly and pointed at their father. He dropped to the floor without a sound, his life torn away from his body. David looked down in horror, still incapable of moving.

The beast waved his arm, sending David flying across the room. David hit the stone wall with a crack and crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

"No!" Sophie screamed and backed herself into the corner by the door, dropping to the floor and pulling her knees to her chest. She continued to scream as the beast stood over their mother and continued to send waves of pain through her body.

"No! Stop, please!" Sophie continued to scream. "Please don't!"

Alice seemed to be in shock. She couldn't move from the doorframe where she was standing.

The beast turned to face the two girls and smiled evilly before releasing his magical hold on their mother. She slumped to the floor, losing the fight to remain conscious.

The beast rounded on the two girls and stood in complete silence, watching them both cower next to the bedroom door. It laughed maliciously and took a step toward them.

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A/N: Ok, I promise this is a Ron Weasley fic! I alternate between the two stories throughout, but it will all make sense in the end. Enjoy the next chapter!