Chapter 4

For reference, 1 galleon = 100 pounds.

Don't own, don't sue. You would only get a caravan with a leaky roof!

Later that night a tired owl arrived at its destination.

Sitting at the kitchen table Arthur Weasley took the offered letter with a sense of dread. It was never a good thing to get a letter from your children's school so late in the day.

"What have the twins done now" he sighed.

Opening the letter he could only stare in shock at the letter and itemized invoice that came with it.

"What is it dear" asked his wife Molly. "Have the twins blown up the common room this time? Or did they slip Professor Snape another potion? Really that one to make his clothes invisible was going too far! Those poor children must have been so traumatized by the sight of Severus walking around looking naked. But I doubt that they listened to anythin…"

Arthur thrust the parchments into Molly's hands and simply said "Read it".

"Oh my! 'Dear Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. I am writing to inform you of the probation of your youngest son Ronald. Owing to his complete lack of table manners, a failure to curb his greed with food, an inability to grasp the necessity for even the most basic hygiene and an unfortunate lack of manners in any way conceivable, it has been decided by the staff that Ronald is to be placed on probation here at Hogwarts. This decision was made after a thorough investigation, conducted by the senior staff members and the headmaster, which has uncovered the following points along with many others.

In the course of one meal Ronald would consume the same amount of food as any 3 or 4 of his year mates. Much of this food was wasted as Ronald sprayed it over fellow students as he talked with his mouth overly stuffed.

Ronald shows a violent possessiveness of Mr. Harry Potter, both Mr. Potter's attention and physical being.

During dinner Ronald was observed taking food from the plates of other students. Once taking food of a student's fork as the student was raising it to their mouth.

Ronald is only passing his classes thanks to the excessive amounts of help from Miss Hermione Granger. Without her help Ronald would not have completed any of the written work. Unfortunately, his practical work is also below what is expected at this stage of his education.

Ronald shows no care for his personal hygiene at all. He has gone for several days in the same clothes and often has smudges of food or dirt on his skin and clothing in various places. It is apparent that he had not bathed for several days.

Ronald was seen physically striking and verbally berating a first year student for talking to Harry Potter. (side note: The student – female- was asking directions to the library)

In regard to the excessive amounts of food, we have to request that an additional fee be paid as the amount set in the regular school fees will not cover even one quarter of the expense that the school has incurred feeding Ronald. If this amount (please see attached invoice) is not received by the end of this coming term then Ronald will be suspended until such time as the money is paid. If no payment has been made by the start of the next school year, unfortunately Ronald will be expelled, with all penalties that then may occur.

For the moment Ronald has been seated at a separate table in the Great Hall at meal times. This table is known as the "Pig Table". It is where a person with little knowledge of manners and appropriate conduct at meals would sit, isolated from the other students, until such time as the person shows a working knowledge of conduct becoming of a Hogwarts student. This table has not been needed in over three hundred years. At this table Ronald will be given a meal appropriate for his age and levels of activity. He is banned from seeking food from other sources. During his first meal Ronald became violent and aggressive when reminded that he was only getting one serve of food. Unfortunately, several staff members had to stun Ronald to protect our other students.

At this time we are uncertain where the possessiveness of Mr. Potter comes from. It may be either an infatuation or something far more troubling. Only time and Ronald will be able to tell us which. However, this cannot continue as it is. While friendship is encouraged, Ronald's interference is causing Mr. Potter's marks and social outlets to be curtailed. This is something that I am hoping that, as Ronald's parents, you may be able to assist to discover the source of.

As to Ronald's hygiene matters. Madam Pomphrey and I have discusses the matter and we will be discussing the matter further with Ronald tomorrow morning. We are hoping to see a fast improvement.

I am hoping that this matter can be resolved in a timely manner to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Yours truly,

M. McGonagall.

Deputy Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Head of Gryffindor House' "
"Now look at this invoice!" Arthur told Molly in a very controlled voice.

"….Se…se…" stuttered Molly.

"That's seven Hundred Galleons! Do you know how much that is? That is over two years pay for me! Merlin only knows that there is no way I can pay that amount!" yelled Arthur. "You were warned about Ron's behavior. You saw it every day and did nothing about it. When I tried to help the boy, YOU thought you knew better and overruled me! When he refused to take a shower for nearly a month last summer you ignored it until I hexed him clean and then I was the one you screeched at! No more Molly! I have let you run things for far too long. Ronald will be coming home at christmas and I pray that we can work out a payment plan for this of otherwise it will be on your head that we have a squib for a son at best."

Arthur drew a breath to continue but was interrupted by the arrival of another owl.

Taking the new letter Arthur let out a groan. "For the love of Merlin! 'Dear Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, I regret to inform you that your son, Ronald, was found pilfering the trunks of his dorm mates. Ronald claims that he had forgotten which trunk was his own. Unfortunately the evidence suggests otherwise. Owing to this he will be in supervised detention for two weeks and all Hogsmeade privileges will be suspended until after the christmas break.

I would like to ask if a meeting could be arranged at your earliest convenience to discuss Ronald's continuance at this school.

Yours truly,

M. McGonagall.

Deputy Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Head of Gryffindor House' "

Taking several deep breaths, the normally placid man was shaking with anger. In a controlled manner he turned to his wife.

"Molly, not even the twins have had us called for a meeting at the school. This may be worse than anything that you could imagine. If Ron is booted from school then we lose him. You know what will happen. He will be a Muggle. And there is nothing you or I can do to stop it."

"But..."

"But nothing, Molly! You know the laws as well as I do. And Merlin help you if this does happen. I will arrange the meeting in the morning. You will come with me and keep your mouth shut! You caused a large part of this and I will be seeing you get your fair share of the blame."