Chapter # 13
A retelling of - BuckNC - classic tale …Dragon Heart …as redone by Billybob
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Entitled: - Another letter from Ron - - and Charlie?
Word count for this chapter: 9,564 – yes - it's a big chapter, but I really couldn't break-it up into smaller bites.
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Billybob note: I always loved this bit – it's also tweaked - so expect changes.
Secondly: - Perhaps you've noticed that the timeline in this tale - - is a bit-off. For reasons-unknown – the original classic had the infamous Slytherin/Gryffindor Quidditch match on a Thursday, a mere 24 hours before Ron's letter arrives on Friday evening. I would think that Quidditch matches would take place on a Saturday or Sunday so as to not interfere with class work – but what do I know?
(Don't answer that in a review - the last question was rhetorical)
Anyway I will go with the original 'cannon' timeline.
Third: I have had it pointed out to me that Jane is too young for NEWT level spells. Regretfully Jane's age is a part of the original story 'cannon' that I saw no reason to change. I agree with the objection but lack the time-turner required to go back and make her older. Let's just say that Billybob mucked-up again - and leave it at that - okay?
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Hermione's POV:
Hermione was a little bit nervous and feeling more than a little guilty at leaving Draco in the Hospital Wing twenty-four hours after the Match - to attend Ron's weekly letter reading. Not that Draco was going to catch her as he was still under the effects of a heavy sleeping potion - while trying to grow back a few of his missing front teeth.
It's was as if every Friday night had become an irresistible magnetic force for Hermione compelling her to go and sit in the Gryffindor Common room and listen to Ginny read another one of Ron's witty Letters. She knew Draco would be extremely angry, especially after he had mumbled in his sleep …non-stop nasty comments about Harry ever since he was brought from the pitch and into the Hospital. Getting Harry and Draco to tolerate one another was proving to be a lot harder task than she had ever anticipated.
The double date fiasco was a mere two weeks ago - and that had failed miserably. The match between Slytherin and Gryffindor – just the previous day - hadn't helped matters either. The looks Hermione was getting now from her own house were borderline hate. No one from Gryffindor would speak to her in the hallways. Ginny growled at her and told her to 'go away' whenever she tried to begin a conversation and Harry was no better. This estrangement worried Hermione for she also knew she was under a time limit to get everyone one on friendly terms before Ron's return - With Harry and Ginny clearly mad at her – she realized that their displeasure might influence the contents of the only letters from England that Ron was currently reading.
With Harry and Draco at each other's throat's – worse than ever - instead of lifelong friends - Hermione had to admit that she was losing ground in her plan of getting the male members of the trio to forgive her for keeping the Malfoy relationship a secret from Ron and gaining their acceptance of Draco as her boyfriend and possibly – her future husband.
"Devil's Snare," Hermione said half-absentmindedly, as she approached the closed Fat Lady portrait her mind fully engaged in figuring away out of her mounting problems. She was hoping to find Harry and the rest of Gryffindor in a reasonable good mood since losing-big, just yesterday.
"Denied," replied the Fat Lady in a curt tone as she narrowed her eyes at Hermione.
"Devil's Snare! That's the password," Hermione retorted, not believing that she was being denied entrance into the Gryffindor Common room.
"And I said Denied, - have you lost command of the Queen's English - as well as your sense of loyalty? Perhaps you should go down to the Slytherin Dungeons and celebrate their victory - with 'them'. There have 'only' been two traitors to Gryffindor house in its centuries of History – You and Sirius Black. So go away – and don't come back". The Fat Lady remarked defiantly, as she was definitely not letting Hermione in to her common-room.
"You listen here, I'm the Head Girl of Hogwarts and under that authority - I demand to be let in!" Hermione shouted not enjoying in the least – the Fat-Lady's suggestion.
"What is going on here? I do not approve of yelling in the hallways, Miss Granger – what are you doing here?" Professor McGonagall said calmly interrupting Hermione's row with the entrance portrait - as she glided over to them with a disapproving stern look on her face.
"She… I can't get in Professor." Hermione bellowed, and then regained her composure in front of her favorite Professor to explain what was happening.
"Really – I can't imagine why?" Professor McGonagall quipped sarcastically.
"Hello, Professor McGonagall, so happy to see you again." The Fat Lady remarked as she was smiling and curtsey at Professor McGonagall in her portrait before swinging open.
"Thank you, Milady. Stay here, Miss Granger, I'll ask if anyone wants to invite you in." Professor McGonagall said, and then entered with the portrait closing swiftly behind her before Hermione could respond.
Hermione could not believe what just happen, or the unmistakable roar of, "No!" from behind the Fat Lady portrait.
"You should close your mouth miss Head Girl, you look like a dead codfish." The Fat Lady said, in a mischievous voice as she was looking down at a shock Hermione.
The Fat Lady Portrait cracked open to reveal a tightly mouthed Harry who was looking at Hermione with a face of sadness.
"Harry, thank Merlin – this… thing…she won't let me in!" Hermione shouted as she run over to Harry with the portrait door closing behind him.
"I know, we need to talk," remarked Harry looking awkwardly at a stunned Hermione.
"Can't we wait until after I hear Ron's letter?" Hermione asked, hoping that all this silliness has not made her miss any of the reading.
"No, we need to talk now - - and Ginny hasn't started yet.
"Harry – Harry what going on"?
Listen carefully Miss Head-Girl, - - entrance into the common-rooms of all four Houses is a privilege granted to each head boy and girl during their tenure - it is and I repeat - a 'privilege' and not a right. Such 'privileges' – according to the rules you're so fond of following 'blindly' – can be revoked by majority vote of the members of a particular house. By an unanimous vote – that was just taken …from now on… you are banned from entering Gryffindor without special permission. In light of this decision it would be better for all concerned - if you spent all your free time with your boyfriend, rather than with us." Harry said.
"But why can't I sit with you… and Ginny?"
"Frankly, Hermione, as of this moment there is No one inside Gryffindor tower that wants you to sit at our table in the Great Hall, or come into our Common room." Harry explained, knowing that his housemates wanted to do a lot worse to her, but he had ordered them not to physically harm her.
"Does - - does that …include you and Ginny"?
"Yes"
"But I'm a Gryffindor!" Hermione roared.
"Not anymore,"
"Where else am I supposed to sit or go?" Hermione said as she began to cry.
"Slytherin," replied Harry and then turning around slowly to speak with the Fat Lady. "Your former housemates will allow you come here - for the reading of Ron's letters, only - but that's all."
"This is not right, Harry!" Hermione shouted at Harry - feeling betrayed by her housemates and friends just because she supported her boyfriend yesterday.
"I'm Sorry, Hermione; you made a 'loyalty choice' during our match with Slytherin yesterday. That decision - for many of us, was the last straw. You chose them over us - so you sort-of did this to yourself." Harry explained to a deeply hurt Hermione - before half-turning to look-up at the Fat Lady portrait over his shoulder and gave the new password. "Air Head."
Harry opened the portrait for her and then told her, "You will have to be quiet and sit way in the back- as it's a full house tonight."
Hermione said nothing, as she was still fuming in anger and gob-smacked disbelief - at being banned from entering her own house. This unpresented incident would certainly make its way into 'Hogwarts a History"- someday - but it wasn't the footnote associated to her name that she had desired.
Hermione had to take a seat on the male dormitory spiral staircase behind a standing room only crowd - that filled almost every square inch of the common room. All of the Gryffindor students were there from first to seventh year - as well as Professor McGonagall, the official head of House Welcomed guests included Professor Hagrid and Luna Lovegood of Ravenclaw in her customary spot sitting on Dean's lap.
As Harry set back down beside Ginny and Hagrid, Ginny glared hard at where Hermione sat before she announced, "Good, now we can begin!"
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Another letter from Ron
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Dear Ginny,
Let me start this letter off by saying, Thank MERLIN for Professor McGonagall!
"What?" Professor McGonagall asked, as she was sitting on the couch next to Ginny and Luna expecting to hear stories about Dragons.
"It's what he wrote, I don't know why… let me read on Professor to find out," explained Ginny.
Naturally; Ginny felt a little bit nervous - being under the glare of Professor McGonagall and all the others and it was only after several minutes of frantic reading ahead - before she felt safe and continued-on out-loud with the letter.
You will know why I said that by the end of this letter, but first a dragon update. Hagrid will be pleased to know that his grandkids are doing fine. I was surprise and a bit honored to learn what he named his six grandkids.
"What did you name them Hagrid?" Harry asked while everyone looked at the gamekeeper/professor to find out.
"Well, I didn't' have much time to put a lot of thought into it. I just got to the Hogsmeade Post befer it closed. Yew see, there's three girl dragons and three boy dragons and all I had were them beautiful pictures. So, I named them with the first thing that pop in me head."
"What was that Hagrid?" Ginny asked, curious to know why Ron would be honored.
"After yew six – of , Ron, and Neville for the boys, and Hermione, Ginny, and Luna for the girls."
A big smile spread across Hermione's face –as she sat in the back and she made a mental note to go hug Hagrid tomorrow in his hut.
"Thank you, Hagrid," Harry replied, giving him a big smile.
"Ah, it was nothing. Yew like my own grandkids anyway… ones that shouldn't go into the Forbidden Forest as much as yew do, but like grandkids - just the same." Hagrid bellowed with a huge grin on his face.
Ginny and Luna both got up and hugged Hagrid in turn - as Harry was softly-chuckling about the number of times he had been in the forest.
"Carry-on, Miss Weasley." Professor McGonagall said, while smiling big at Hagrid and the others listening in.
"Yes ma'am."
You got to hand it to Hagrid; he has a gift at naming Dragons. He got all of our names to match the Dragon that acts just like us. Ron and Hermione are always spitting fireballs at one another. Neville is a little bit clumsy and brave as he tries to learn how to walk without dragging his wings. Luna is quiet and always curious, as she just likes to watch people. Harry is definitely the leader of this miscreant lot, and as for Ginny. Ginny took off with one of my Dragon gloves and I had to chase her a full five minutes through the mud to get it back. (See Picture #1)
"You go girl," cracked Ginny as she was smiling at her namesake and listening to the room roar with laughter.
"Just like you," remarked Harry as he was looking at the picture of Ron splashing through the mud chasing a small greenish and blue Dragon with a glove in her mouth.
After work, I usually find myself helping Jane, who I know I said is just like HER.
"Who's HER?" Professor McGonagall asked politely.
"Hermione," replied most of the students in unison.
"Oh…"
Well she's worse! I cannot believe a seven-year-old girl wants nothing more to do than practice NEWT Transfiguration spells. I know that different countries have different restrictions on underage use of magic. But Romania must have the most liberal laws on the planet. I remember having to wait until I turned eleven before getting my first wand. But not here – oh no, there is no arbitrary set age for magical use – Here the parents decide.
You know I'm not exactly the sharpest knife in the tray at Transfiguration even with HER help and I told Jane that, 'right-from-the-off' - hoping she would instead switch over to working on Defense against the Dark Arts or even Charms. Foolish me, she told me that my weakness in a field of study was all the more reason to practice harder on Transfiguration.
"I'm beginning to like this girl," Professor McGonagall added, as she smiled and looked around at the other students.
"Get her picture off the Bulletin Board," Harry ordered, so Professor McGonagall can see her.
A 2nd year girl grabbed the picture and then handed it off to her Head of House, Professor McGonagall.
"My, she is cute – home schooled and seven you say?" Professor McGonagall asked, as she was looking at a wizard's picture of Jane smiling while holding her stuff magical dragon, Danny. "And I have to say to the rest of you, she has the right attitude toward Transfiguration!"
The room moaned softly in unison as Professor McGonagall tried to hold back a smile and keep her serious and proper Professor demeanor about her.
Ginny hurried back to the letter before an impromptu Transfiguration class broke-out.
What I really like to practice is my sleep, these sixteen hour workdays days are murder - but luckily, Charlie came and rescued me from Jane. He wanted me to go with him and some friends to a pub in Budapest with him. I agreed faster than you could say 'bob's your uncle'… in-spite of Jane's 'nagging' that I should stay-away from such places. Man, she is so much like HER it's downright scary. Aaaggh!
This bit is for Harry, I know you are reading this as you pretty much told me so in your last letter. I give you permission but no one else - okay. Showing this to some of the professors is okay too. Dad knows he's written me saying so. But by no means are you to forward my letters to our mum - or the twins. 'GOT THAT' – mum would kill me and as for the twins - damnit - keep those pranksters in the dark – as much as possible - okay?
By the way, Harry thanks for the Chocolate Frogs. I haven't forgiven you for the knife you put so deeply in my back, but I sure everyone else has – including my sister. I'd bet my whole salary from up-here …that she has given you a free-pass on what you did to me. That's just one of the unfair-perks you get by-being the HARRY POTTER I suppose - - even my own family takes your side over mine. Lord-above …my life sucks.
Again – thanks - for the semi-bribe of Chocolate frogs – I would have read your letter anyway but the frogs made your totally-lame apology more digestible. I don't think I could have lasted another week without them. Everyone has a weakness Mr. Superman-Potter and chocolate is mine.
Anyway back to my pub story with Charlie and his - non dragon preserve - so called - friends. Charlie gave me his old green dragon-hide jacket to wear and then I went digging through my locker for an old-pair of Extendable Ears that I once got from Fred and George – at full price – no bargains for immediate family – ruddy Gits. I really have to buy a wizard's lock for my footlocker too; everyone here just helps themselves to anything they fancy in it".
Sorry for drifting off topic yet again – but the twins have been a pain to me for like forever. Anyway I'll try to stay focus more and be distracted less – like old Nicolas taught me, meaning I guess –that I should've known something was up, at this Pub - after all the adventures I shared with you and Harry – the ones that went sour I mean".
"The moment we Apparate outside of this grimy hole in the wall, and I mean disgustingly fifty. To call that place a Pub is an insult to all good dispensers of hard sprits around the world and makes the scummy pubs of Knockturn Alley look as spotlessly clean and orderly as Gringotts Bank at high-noon. Oh, man – what a ruddy dive!
As for Charlie's 'friends', two of them work at the Preserve with us, Nicolas being one of them - as for the other two non-perserve blokes - were dress in semi-formal - off the rack – identical wizard dress robes. One look at them and you knew without asking that they worked for the Romania Ministry of Magic. I didn't find out until after the party was over - that these bumpkins were some of the –so called - best Aurors that Romania has in law enforcement – what a ruddy joke they were.
Then Charlie comes up to me and tells me not to do anything unless he gives me the signal. You guess it Harry; it's the same standard operating procedures of the Order, treat us like kids and tell us nothing.
"Miss Weasley," interrupted Professor McGonagall with her eyes very big. "I don't think we need to hear this part."
"I think we do!" Harry rebutted angrily as he jumped up from the couch and into the conversation while looking incensed at Professor McGonagall.
"Because, - I'm a little bit sick and tired of being left in the dark about things. What I did to Ron - is what the Order has done to me for years. Outright deceit caused the best mate I could ever ask for - to abandon his education and leave the ruddy country rather than spend another night in the dorm of his betrayer.
Also keeping the truth from him …has also just cost us the match against Slytherin!"
"Mr. Potter…"
"Read the bloody letter, Ginny - in Gryffindor at least - we'll have no more secrets." Harry ordered, while still looking furiously at Professor McGonagall.
"Mr. Potter!" Professor McGonagall bellowed, now standing up as she was unaccustomed to having her orders countermanded.
"Read it!" Harry snapped again while angrily conveying a look to Professor McGonagall that he wasn't backing down and he could care less what the Order, Professor McGonagall, or even Professor Dumbledore thought of it.
A hush of silence spread across the room as Professor McGonagall and Harry engage in a test of wills and after a long an awkward minute Professor McGonagall nodded to Ginny to continue. She slowly retook her seat back on the couch as Harry was retaking his.
Charlie tells me the place has an Anti-Apparate ward and if things go bad for me to run outside and Apparate back to the Preserve, other than that he wouldn't tell me 'squat'. Git!
Well, we go to the pub and I'm as mad as can be at Charlie for not telling me what's going on, so I sit away from him at the pub's counter.
Now remember - this Third World …Eastern European pub makes the Hog's Head look like the Great Hall during Christmas, and it's actually a toss-up whether the pub or the street outside is filthier. To add insult to injury - every downtrodden Grubby-being imaginable was in there: bloody vampires, smelly thieving gypsies, mean looking goblins, ugly-hags and humpback witches with big moles all over their faces, and naturally no collection of muck would be complete without - Death Eaters.
The room as one gasped as Ginny continued on - with Harry and Professor McGonagall still trading angry stares at each other.
I was almost surprise that I do not see two or three Dementor's in a back booth - drinking pints. I took my seat at the pub counter with my back turned - to the whole lot of them - in front of me was a huge clean mirror right behind the bartender. Don't ask me why this mirror was clean while nothing else was; I couldn't even begin to tell you why.
From the mirror, I could see the whole pub with the two horribly disguised Aurors sitting at a table with their backs to the wall, while Charlie, Nicolas and a bloke from the preserve whose name escapes me at the moment, - set-down at a booth in the middle of the pubs common room.
I wasn't sure what the mission was all about, but for some reason I had a feeling it was centered on a nervous and sweaty mid-thirties aged wizard sitting all alone, just two booths away from Charlie. After about an hour or so, when Charlie hadn't even tried to make contact with this anxious looking bloke - I began to suspect that - Mr. Nervous - was here to meet someone else.
Now keep in mind, the room already had at least four Death Eaters in it by my count. They were all sitting at a table near the front door, and after five minutes of abusing the waitress and the customers around them - like a group of Slytherin's on 'holiday' - it became child-like easy to figure out that they must be an advanced scouting party.
Now while I was keeping an eye out for Charlie, Nicolas comes by where I'm sitting – slowly nursing my drink and in a whisper - he drops a few reminders of my training with him, - such as, to be mindful of where the exits are, wands are not the only one weapon in a wizards arsenal and such rot, - oh and last but not least - I was 'forbidden' to transform inside the pub …as if I was going to do something that daft …"
"What's he talking about – transform - transforming what into what? Is this why he thanked Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked out loud for all to hear - sounding very confused.
"I don't know Harry, maybe we'll find out later-on in the letter." Ginny replied
There I was - trying out some of the local Russian Firewhisky, and a few local pints of grog. Just to blend into the crowd, - mind you- and I get a huge pre-combat lecture form a retired unspeakable, as if I'd never been in a firefight before? What a ruddy pain that was."
"Blend into the crowd - my arse," snapped Ginny as she rolled her eyes at Ron's feeble excuse to drink, and then listened to another round of laughter come from the students listening to Ron's letter.
Luckily the one good Weasley family trait I have is I'm able to hold my liquor. As for the Aurors, after an hour they haven't even bothered to sip their glass of Firewhisky. This made them quite noticeable to the advance group of Death Eaters, but for some unknown reason - they stayed put.
Finally, after another thirty minutes - - two black hooded and masked figures came into the pub, with three more Death Eaters as escorts. One of the black hooded ones was carrying a briefcase and the other briefly stopped to speak with the advance group. One of the big thick neck advance group Death Eater nodded to the hooded man orders - and waited briefly for both of the hooded leaders to sit down at the nervous and sweating man's table. As soon as they did so - four of the now six Death Eaters in the pub stood up and made their way toward the Aurors.
Now Harry, I know you've been worried that you won't get accepted into the Auror's program. I've more or less have already given up on the idea of being one, - because - of my three month 'holiday' here in Romania. But I've got to tell you. If those two clowns can make it, then you are golden!
What the Aurors did in the face of the advancing Death Eaters was downright laughable, I 'kid you not', they stood up with their wands out as they saw the four coming toward them and calmly announced – announced …mind you - that they were from the Romania Ministry and everyone in the Pub was 'under arrest'. This is the last thing any sane person would say in a pub like this. I mean, how stupid can you get! I don't think those two could capture Crabbe and Nott at a candy store.
I looked over to Charlie, and see him wearing the Extendable Ears I gave him, oblivious to what's about to happen as I don't think he heard the Aurors. Not that it mattered as the Aurors and Death Eaters were now shooting spells at one another. At first, I didn't know what to do, but I knew it just be a matter of time before the Death Eaters killed the Aurors. I spun around on my stool to go help them when I noticed one of the hooded figures sitting at the table with the really nervous and sweaty man open his briefcase to reveal a stack of parchments in it.
The idea just 'came to me', I says to my-self; 'cause a distraction', and at the very least buy some time for me to grab Charlie and get out of there. I pointed my wand inside his briefcase and sent all of the parchments flying across the room. Now keep in mind, the bar is in total bedlam as fights are breaking out all over the place, and most of it 'not having' the least bit to do with us.
One of the hooded leaders stands up and yelled at the advance group to get the parchments, while the other hooded leader shot a - green light - spell at the nervous and sweaty guy. I can only say, now I will be able to 'see' Thestral's when I get back to Hogwarts. As for the Aurors …one was dead and the other tied up and stunned.
My first mission with the ruddy Order and it was coming off as a giant muck-up! I saw that Nicolas was dueling with the two Death Eater's guarding the only door in or out of this dive - as I raced over to Charlie and drag his sorry arse out of there, - ducking various spells, the occasional flying bar chairs, and other such debris along the way.
I got to admit, the whole thing felt kind-of like déjà vu to me - I was scared, of course, but it was no different a-muck-up than similar adventures that I've shared with you, Harry and 'HER' in the past few years.
I won't bore you with a 'blow by blow' recital of your immature brothers first - pub brawl - I can almost image the lecture I would be getting now from HER …for the public display of such childish behavior, - it makes me wonder if she belittles the ferret even 'half ' as much as she did me?
Hermione narrowed her eyes hearing that - but wisely said …nothing.
Okay pressing on – after one or two 'minor' altercations I find myself about half-way over to where Charlie is 'fist fighting' a ruddy vampire. As I fight my way toward Charlie I managed to see out of the corner of my eye one of the hooded leaders at the table take off his Death mask to see better as he was on the floor frantically collecting parchments scrolls.
Antonin Dolohov. I'd recognize that long pale, twisted face anywhere.
Hermione gasped in horror and was suddenly unable to breathe as he was the Death Eater in the Department of Mysteries that almost killed her with his slashing curse. The memory of him still occasionally brought-out horrible nightmares in the dark of the night.
So, I made an early Christmas wish, I wanted to be able to rip Dolohov's bloody heart out! I threw a portion of scrap wood at the vampire chest - the one fighting Charlie- and impaled the burger 'dead-center' turning him - - – did you know that vampires 'really do' transform into ashes when hit in the heart – after that minor skirmish- I made a beeline straight for Dolohov.
"NO!" Hermione roared, turning everyone's head to look at her worried facial expression – at where she sat in the back of the room.
Harry gently bumped Ginny's foot - to continue the reading.
Up to now - this pub brawl had been no worse that the kind of Firewhisky induced scraps at the Leaky Cauldron that Fred and George were always boasting about – well …except for the vampires, - Death eaters - and people ending up dead - which did step things up a notch or two - I suppose?
But from the moment I saw Dolohov the whole thing got very personal, he hurt HER and no one gets away with that. One of the advance guard Death Eaters saw me coming and shot badly aimed killing curse at me, he missed by a mile - apparently eastern European Death Eaters are on a par magically to their Romanian Auror counterparts. Another vampire got in my way - showing-off his fangs. I didn't even bother with him longer than it took to shove a splinter of table right into its chest, while at the same time I shot a full body binding spell at Dolohov.
The dearly departed to ash - vampire – 'however' - had delayed me enough to give Dolohov the time to pull out his wand, and free himself. I know I shouldn't have 'used ' it, but it was the first thing that came to my mind… a bit of 'poetic justice' – so to speak. I flicked and slashed my wand at him, sending a slashing curse at him as he stood up and pointed his wand at us.
I regret to say, I missed his chest cavity, but I did hit his right arm causing him to drop his wand. He immediately stepped back and yelled out in pain - then he took a quick look-around to determine who had hexed him. His eyes met mine and he immediately recognized me - for in a hate filled growl he shouted, "Weasley!"
It sort-a of gives you a warm feeling to know that this evil, twisted, escape convict, murder, Death Eater, and all around piece of - -"
"Miss Weasley!" Professor McGonagall shouted, not wanting to hear Ron's profanity description of Dolohov.
"Sorry, ok here," replied Ginny jumping over the bad language.
"- - Knew my name. Dolohov turned around and grabbed the other hooded masked Death Eater leader, who had been busy stuffing the parchment, scrolls into his briefcase during the fight. Dolohov yelled and then pushed the hooded scum-bag toward the fireplace, but in the process knocked his hood off.
All right boys and girls, it's time to play your favorite 'bedtime' – game - : Identifying tonight's 'highlighted' …scum-bag…Death Eater. But first it's time for your four – totally "free" – clues.
He's a male with pockmarks all over his face – greasy hair and last but not lease, he also 'tried' to kill a very special girl.
"Rookwood," Harry said, remembering the vision of him informing Voldemort on how to get the prophecy from the Department of Mysteries.
You're our grand prize winner for today Yes indeed - you guessed it "Augustus Rookwood." That slimy piece of - -"
By now Professor McGonagall, Harry and everyone else was on pins and needles for every word. Hermione was instinctively digging her fingernails into her face. Professor McGonagall looked frightened for Ron's sake and was nervously twisted her hands together. Hagrid was boiling mad-angry sitting on the edge of his seat as if ready to pounce. Harry appeared frustrated and deeply worried about his best-mate, feeling helpless while 'sitting safe' in Scotland – while his best mate fought a desperate battle without him. The rest of the Gryffindor students were all crowding forward on the edge of their seats straining to hear Ginny's every word.
"Hold on, he has a lot to say about him too." Ginny said, not saying out loud what Ron wrote because of the bad language in it. "Here's a safe point."
I threw a disarming spell at Rookwood and told Charlie and Nickolas to give me cover. There was no way in hell that was I going to let these two Gits escape.
A huge round of cheers broke out in the Common room, causing Ginny to pause in the reading of the letter. When the howling calmed down – Ginny resumed.
Now, I'm not the smartest wizard in the world, but I saw Rookwood loose his wand and his briefcase at the same time. Now in a middle of a battle, which one would you go for? Guess which one Rookwood went for. The briefcase! I couldn't believe it. I quickly figure-out that its contents must have been really valuable - in order for him to leave his wand behind.
"My brother, one of the world's greatest thinkers," Ginny cracked, as she rolled her eyes at Ron for stating the obvious. The entire room, Hermione, and even Professor McGonagall all chuckled at Ginny's tension-breaking comment.
By now the whole bar was an inferno, mainly because of Charlie and Nicolas. All of the patrons and employees had already left - leaving just the remaining Death Eaters and us behind. The big thick-neck Death Eater shot a spell at me forcing me to dive under a table. This was a life-saver as flaming pieces of the rafters came down all around me. I could only watch as Rookwood flooed away to wherever scum-bags like him go, holding the briefcase tightly to his chest. Dolohov followed soon after, but I managed to send him a going-away gift. The slashing curse caught his right leg as he flooed away. Still, they both got away, bugger!
Everyone in the room dropped their head slightly down and sighed in disappointment.
To add to this growing disaster of a huge mission failure - was Charlie screaming at me that we had to get out, as the building was about to collapse from magical fire. Nicolas had already pulled the only still-living Auror out of the burning pub. While Charlie had his arm around the killed preserve guy who'd foolishly came with us.
Charlie was yelling like mad from the doorway for me to get the hell out of there. This order I couldn't obey as the remaining Death Eaters were still behind a bar table shooting killing-spells at me. Apparently, working for evil in an inferno was a normal day at work for them. Could they leave work early, just once – oh - hell-no!
Then there they set. Two gold goblets that were throw off the bar table - - - the exact, - well almost the exact, same type of goblets that we use in NEWT Transfiguration. I didn't even think about what I was going to do, - I just did it like I was in class with Professor McGonagall watching over me.
I transfigured the goblets into two big colorful Toucan birds, and on the rarest of occasions I did it right on my first attempt. Then I had the birds attack the Death Eater's behind the table. It was beautiful, they were gauging and pecking them so hard they stood up to wave them off - and forget all about me.
I then looked up to see a hanging wagon wheel, slightly on fire, with six lanterns on them right above the Death Eaters' heads. I shouted, "Diffindo!" at the chain holding up the lantern wagon wheel and watched as it fell down 'knocking-out' two of the Death Eaters.
You can tell Hagrid the birds are okay I personally got them out of the pub – even watched them fly-off. Charlie managed to stun the big thick-neck Death Eater - while Nicolas dragged the other DE out. I looked around – we were safe, the Pub burning like crazy - and as Merlin is my witness. I said out loud to Charlie and all the rest of them to hear,
"Thank Merlin for Professor McGonagall!"
A huge explosion of cheers broke out as everyone started to congratulate a happy and surprised Professor McGonagall.
"You are welcome, Mr. Weasley." Professor McGonagall responded, as if she was talking directly to Ron.
If I ever hear the ferret say, Transfiguration won't help you in a fight or duel - - then I'm going to walk right up to that piece of crap and give that Slytherin 'Air-Head' a huge black eye.
"I should hope so, that's the silliest thing I had ever heard of," remarked Professor McGonagall defending the subject she teaches.
I wonder if I had used more Transfiguration spells the outcome would've been different, but don't tell Professor McGonagall that. She will have me writing a three foot essay on it.
"I was thinking more of a five foot essay. Miss Weasley, please be so kind as to 'inform' your brother of that task - in your next letter."
"Yes ma'am," Ginny replied, smiling a very evil smile over Ron's new homework assignment.
They say every dark cloud has a silver lining, but I've seen so few of them in my life - especially lately. Today, however, was the rare exception as underneath the very table where I had knelt - was a parchment scroll, and Dolohov's wand. I collected both of them before I joined Charlie and his sole remaining 'friend'…the Auror – to collect the prisoners and herd them off to jail.
Now let me take the time to reflect on this last remaining thought. - - Harry; I just had my first ever …Pub brawl; and I made it out alive without 'your' help or HER's – how about them-apples? Maybe I'm not as useless as 'SHE' always thinks I am? Think-on-it …will-you - this is a 'gold-star' day for me? Maybe even Fred and George would be proud of me. Sweet mother of Merlin, they might even 'admit' that I'm their younger brother …'in public'.
A huge round of laughter broke out, and even a relieved Hermione couldn't help herself from laughing.
Finishing this long story up, we got back to the Preserve and got debriefed by Vargas the Director. I didn't get in any trouble for dispatching the two vampires for it's not murder to kill someone who is already legally dead. Charlie wanted to know how one of the Death Eaters knew who I was, but I was still steamed at them for not telling me in the first place that it was an Order mission. Finally, Vargas apologized and told me he was the Order's representative for Eastern Europe and the 'order' to keep me in the dark about the mission came directly from Professor Dumbledore himself.
Professor McGonagall groaned and stiffened as Harry abruptly turned to glare at his head of house - as Ginny Had just read aloud a classified Order of the Phoenix secrets to a room mostly filled with Gryffindor students. To prevent another row Ginny pressed on with her reading
I told them it was Antonin Dolohov and Augustus Rockwood in the hooded robes. Needless to say, I floored them with both the info and the fact that I would know who they were. Vargas asked me if I was sure. I told them that we had met 'before' and then I pulled out Dolohov's wand and tossed it onto the table in front of me as proof. That got their attention all right for Vargas immediately dispatched an emergency message to Professor Dumbledore.
What I didn't tell them about, not that I don't trust Vargas. After all, he was just obeying the orders of a man who sees no problem in sending an ill-informed teenager into 'life threatening danger' – - sound familiar Harry? You're not 'alone' any-more old-chum, what he does to you - he does to 'all' easily – expendable - teenagers.
Professor McGonagall liked this comment even less, - partially because, she too didn't care all that much for keeping important information from Harry.
Anyway - withholding information I think should be a 'two way street' – and that's why I sending 'you' the parchment scroll I found under the table. There's not much on it, and its pure gibberish to me, but it's all I could get.
Maybe you can research this for me, - Ginny you could call in a favor or two with Luna – and - Morag McDougal …they're Ravenclaw's and 'I'm told' - almost as smart as HER. Don't involve the... Air-HEAD unless you're totally stumped. Connected as she is - at the hip - to the Ferret, is the same in my book - as being 'in bed' with all the 'DE' …meaning Death Eaters of course …in England.
Hermione's eyes had narrowed to tiny slits over what Ron had implied about the sexual aspect of her relationship with Draco. She was also deeply hurt that he felt that she had somehow changed sides in the upcoming war. The looks of distrust she was seeing in the people who were glaring at her in the common room told her - that Ron 'suspicions about her 'loyalties' were more or less 'universally shared' by all of her former house-mates - who had just 'voted' to kick-her-out of being a Gryffindor. Considering the current negative 'climate' of the common-room – Hermione instinctively knew better that to approach Harry with a request to see the Parchment.
"Even a kept in the dark about stuff, immature bloke like me, can figure out that something big is in the wind over here. If you can figure out what all this is about. Keep me Posted! Vargas and Charlie won't tell me 'squat'.
-Ron
P.S.: a few personal items
I am returning the letter from HER and the Chocolate Frogs bribe that came with it. Untouched!
Ginny, I don't know why you included personal greetings from a dozen girls in your last letter; I can't even match a face to half of the names. Don't try to be a matchmaker for me – I don't know what you've told these girls …just don't - okay?
I'm also sending Dolohov's wand in this envelope - snapped in half by yours truly. Give one half of it to Susan Prewitt and the other to HER.
O
O
"Miss Weasley, hand me that scroll!" Professor McGonagall roared as she jumped up from the couch and made a general announcement to all the people in the common room. "And I must warn all of you not to speak a word of this to anyone!"
"Professor, I also want to see that." Harry said, jumping up to look Professor McGonagall in the eye.
"Hold-on a minute there is another page" Ginny said holding up another letter far smaller and in different handwriting. "It's from Charlie"
O
O
Dear Gin-Gin
Ickle Ronniekins asked me to Post this letter to you and being the Weasley that I am - I was unable to resist the temptation to break the seal on the envelope to see what he has been writing to you.
Right from the off - I have determined that my little brother is way too modest for his own good. What he humorously refers to as his first pub brawl was nothing of the sort. Bill and I have had our share of pub fights, - most blokes do at one point or another. You beat each other to a pulp and the next day everyone is mates again.
Compared to that, what happened in Budapest was more of a – 'no prisoners taken' - fight to the death. I have been handling Dragons for eight years now and I thought that I had the most dangerous occupation in the family, - - but I was wrong; being a student at Hogwarts has my job beat …hands down.
Let me tell you straight out - I came back from this so-called brawl 'shaking like a leaf ' and throwing-up. Ron on the other hand treated the whole thing like a walk in the park. When I asked him why he was so blasé about a life or death battle, he mumbled something about the Department of Mysteries - - but wouldn't provide any details.
Bloody hell Gin-Gin, what's going on at Hogwarts that causes my little brother to get into 'battles' with Death Eaters? I'm pretty sure you know, but more importantly - are mum and dad 'aware' what kind of trouble Potter has been getting Ron into?
Now don't you jump on your broom fly over here and batty-box-hex me over this, rest assured that Ron has been rather overly protective about Potter himself, and has already taken me to task for bad mouthing the 'boy-who-lived' - in spite of his part in the Granger 'betrayal'."
Ginny stopped reading and looked up at Harry who was blushing in a mixture of pride and embarrassment over Ron jumping to his defense. She smiled at him and then resumed reading.
"By the way Gin-Gin I agree with Ron - don't send any letters addressed to him from the 'girls at Hogwarts', he's still in a lot of pain over the Granger-berk… 'putting out'- all the time to a scummy Malfoy.
Hermione cringed at this part, thinking to herself 'why does everyone just assume that I'm already having 'around the clock' sex with Draco - like some crazy bitch in heat. I have to do something about this, but not now,"she thought forcing her attention back onto Charlie's letter.
"Look Gin, next holiday - when we're both at home, - you and I need to sit down and swap adventure stories. I'll tell you the near fatal details that Ron 'deliberately' left out of this letter - concerning the brawl where two on our side got 'killed'. In exchange - you can explain the scars that I have noticed on Ron's chest and back when he removes his shirt, injuries that he claims happened during a running battle with Death Eaters - at the end of his fifth year.
Any road - we need to talk face to face about these sort-of things. I'll try to keep Ron safe while he is here - but if the pub brawl is any 'indication' …he'll be more likely to end-up 'saving' my bacon - a lot more often than I will be 'saving' his.
Love
Charlie
OoOoOoOo
"Is that all; Miss Weasley?"
"Yes Professor"
"I still want that parchment – that Ron sent it to Ginny and me, he didn't send it to you – or - to the head of the ruddy Order of the Phoenix," Harry declared short tempered
"That's for the Headmaster's to decide and you will accompany me to go see him right now, Mr. Potter."
"Yes ma'am," said Harry collecting Ron's letter, post, parchment scroll and the broken wand to go with an angry Professor McGonagall.
"Now as for the rest of you, what you heard here tonight is strictly confidential; repeating it to individuals outside of our house could easily put Mr. Weasley in 'grave danger'. I personally trust everyone in this room right now with this secret." McGonagall said making a point to look directly at Luna, "but would be better for everyone …that you go to your rooms and not discuss this …ever again." Professor McGonagall barked before leaving with Harry.
OoOoOoOo
End Trans – for now
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