Marriage and Inheritance
Chapter 21: entitled: Checkmate
Word count: 4849 (plus or minus a few, here and there)
Author: Billybob
Category: post O.o.t.P ... AU - Alternate Universe — which means that HBP and DH didn't happen.
Warning # 1; I will pick and chose items from JKR last two books as it suits my fancy, and disregard other bits of cannon just as easily.
Pairings will be; HG-RW, as the primary focus …with sub-plots of HP-GW among others. So if I wander off and do another couple's romance, sit back and enjoy the ride! All other relationships as outlined in the Epilog in book seven are hereby Null and Void …unless I say otherwise.
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Premise of this story; This tale is centered on two primary themes –
One, the JKR discarded premise of 'inner-house unity' and the strange notion that - not all - Slytherin's are evil Death Eater …wannabe's.
Secondarily: has anyone ever wondered what happens to a Hogwarts student who doesn't get enough OWLS to go on the NEWTS level? Not everyone goes on to University you know. Potions was a requirement to become an Auror, and neither Ron nor Harry made the cut under Snape, a new potion professor had to be brought in during HBP to get around this fact. Even then Harry and Ron didn't return seventh year, didn't sit the NEWTS exams and yet still ended up Auror's in the Epilog. Doesn't that strike you as …odd?
Time line: begins late July 1996 summer holiday between HP school terms 5 and 6
Rated: M, - just to be safeguarded from the prudish criticism of the overly sensitive. The rating is what it is for adult language and banter, some UK profanity / slang and implied sexual innuendo. I do not write smut.
Warning # 2: To those among you that who enjoy proper English grammar. As you are all painfully aware …for some time now …I've been flying solo spelling and grammar wise. The below chapter …as has a fair few before it …has been done …without the benefit of a beta-reader safety net, a person that does what any professional editor and proof reader does …and yes …I know it shows.
Standardized disclaimer: is there anyone on this planet that doesn't know who has all legal copy write rights to Harry Potter, with us in fan fiction just burrowing it for our own amusement and that of our readers.
Question to readers: Is anyone still with me on this HP road trip, this has become a huge story by a lousy speller, in a category of Fan-fiction dominated by Slash. No worries …just curious.
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Roll Film
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Naturally every single person in the Dowry tower dinning area rushed as fast as feet could carry them to the Entrance Hall only to discover it devoid of all people except the casual passerby's. Unexpected commotion coming from the school library solved the mystery of where everyone had gone to. Harry and Neville half carried and half dragged a weakened and yet excited Hermione into her favorite sanctuary with Ginny, Pansy and Hermione's parents following closely behind. This group was the last to arrive at the scene as it was impossible to run the halls while half-carrying Hermione.
The Library itself was in a state of bedlam with Madam Price wagging a losing battle with the all too numerous noise makers. On one side of the room a furious Viktor Krum being physically held in check by none other than the Wizarding Bulgarian Ambassador to the court of Saint James.
Across the room and looking considerably less flustered sat a resigned Ron Weasley, his crutches leaning against the table next to his seat. He held his wand loosely in his right hand as he openly stared at his romantic rival while calmly contemplating the end of his life. Behind him and to his right stood his proud as a peacock trade master who was in the midst of a heated exchange of option with the Headmaster.
Albus Dumbledore at that point was angrier than at any other time of his Life, his minuscule grip on his temper was fraying rapidly and it took every ounce of will power he had not to hex the resigned smile off Weasley face. Now that he knew that the silencing hex had been lifted from Ronald, Albus turned the full fury of his wrath toward him.
"What have you done?"
"Exercised my rights as an engaged man under Wizarding law" Ron said never taking his eyes off of his target.
"But you're not engaged; I canceled that …fourteen days ago, Albus snapped."
"I'm sorry sir, but legally …under the Wizarding conflict of interest statue, you had no legal right to cancel Hermione's engagement to me." Ron said without looking up.
"That's absurd. I'm the Chief Warlock of Great Britain which means I can do anything I want".
"I'm afraid your wrong about that Albus …with Mr. Weasley being correct about your violation of the conflict of interest statue," said Ian Litigatus, the Hogwarts trades instructor of Business and criminal Law as he and another man examined several thick legal text to confirm a point of Law.
"I was rather surprised that you suggested to Mr. Weasley that he bring Miss Granger Marriage contract to me for legal review", Ian said in an amused tone. "A belated bravo to you Albus …I must say that I'm in pure admiration of the document that you crafted. Never in my career have I seen a better example of a magical document that was so totally to the benefit of your foreign born client and the determent of a pair of naive Muggle's. That you have acted so blatantly against the best interest of two underage students who were supposed to be under your protection …is an issue for the Board of Governors judicature.
"Ian …no good will be served by involving the board in this?" Albus said his anger fading as a new threat was revealed
"Too late for that Albus, a missive has already been sent requesting a full investigation."
"That was your doing I take it?"
"Yes sir, but that's your fault …really! No wonder you never accepted my request for a Chess match," Ron said calmly without a trace of emotion. "Your moves on the board to this point have been premature and reactionary, with hardly any thought to the small flaws in your ploy that turned out to be your undoing. For example; had you waited until yesterday to cancel my engagement to Hermione …I wouldn't have had the generous luxury of twelve full days to plan and execute my counter move?
"Your second misstep was in isolating me from my lady-love …for it allowed me to fully focus on legally boxing you into a corner, where conceding the game is your only option".
"You stupid arrogant boy, you haven't beaten me …not by a long shot" Albus retorted defiant.
"Beaten, no sir, but you are in check."
"Ronald Weasley as headmaster of Hogwarts …I expressly forbid you to duel Mr. Krum,"
"Sorry Professor, you don't have any say in the Bridal Duel either, once the challenge had been properly made in the traditional manner. The conflict of interest bit …again", Ron explained to the headmaster as if addressing a child which infuriated the older wizard considerably. "Your third misstep in the chess match …was in admitting your nudge in the right direction participation in the writing of the Granger Krum marriage contract, a mistake that was further compounded by your rather foolish confession of having personally put a spell on it …forcing the Grangers compliance. Not the wisest thing to do in front of several witnesses …especially when two of them were Professors of this school".
"I did no such thing"
"Don't bother to deny it Albus; I have two lawfully gathered Pensieve memories to the contrary." Ian said shaking his head sadly from across the room. "Mr. Weasley's has been quite through about gathering his evidence …isn't that right Alastor".
"His preparations for this particular battle have been flawless," Mad-eye grunted in approval.
"You too …Alastor?" Albus said in reference to Caesar and Brutus.
"Of course me, the boy would have made a fine Auror, but for the bum leg …alls the pity. As for you Albus …you really didn't think I'd approve of what you've done to the Weasley family ….with that high handed meddling of yours." Mad-eye snorted in contempt.
"You're all against me," Albus said sadly.
"Which should finally make you realize …how much in the wrong you are about this, Albus", Minerva said with genuine sympathy.
"No …I point blank refuse to accept this," Albus said drawing upon all his exaggerated dignity. "The Granger girl is horribly wrong for Ronald; her foul Muggleborn blood would contaminate a proud and ancient bloodline. Besides …the Greengrass family has approached me to mediate a union with the Weasley clan, and after being repeated rebuffed by Arthur. I have decided, that for the good of the English Wizarding society as a whole …I …as Chief Warlock …will demand …"
"Really Albus stop being so stubborn," Minerva said interrupting Albus's rant mid-stream …both stunned and saddened
"Don't waste you time professor", Ron said as he reached inside his robes …pulled out a rolled parchment from his robes which he then lightly rapped against the Headmasters stomach while saying. "Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore in accordance with English Wizarding law and in front of all here assembled …I do formally serve you with notice that a lawsuit has been filed against you and the Board of Governors for Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry as co-defendants …for monetary compensation for gross abuse of power, and criminal conspiracy …in denying the civil rights of an English witch and wizard for the betterment of a foreign national …a direct violation of your sworn oath as both Headmaster and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot".
"You can't be serious …,"Albus protested chuckling.
"…twenty-four hours ago …the High Chief Justice and Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement Madam Amelia Bones signed a formal receipt accepting this law-suit; now that you have been officially served …the litigation may go forward.
"I'll arrange to have this idiocy dismissed without merit first thing Monday morning", Albus hissed in a threatening manner.
"Thus providing undeniable proof of how far you're willing to go in the abuse your position as Chief Warlock for the advancement of a foreign national," Ian said shocked and disappointed. "Really Albus …have you completely taken leave of your senses? The Wizengamot will not tolerate you running roughshod over the rights of a British witch and wizard in love …not anymore …anyway. Sweet Merlin man …haven't you been reading the Daily Prophet. There are now daily calls for the abolishment of Dowry day and a general overhaul of existing restrictions on brides and their parent's right of refusal in marriage contracts. You try anything shady with Mr. Weasley's lawsuit in the current political climate and it could easily result in your abrupt removal from office.
"Check," Ron said softly, fighting back a grin.
"You're underage, too young to make the challenge" Albus protested
"Not true Albus there are no age limitations under the current law," Ian said not even looking up from the legal volume that he and Viktor's solicitor were studying so intently.
"Check"
"Stop saying that, you young fool," Albus snarled. "Don't you realize that you're about to die!"
"WHAT," Hermione and Viktor shouted stunned …at the same time.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence …Professor" Ron said cringing briefly …not daring to look toward the place where Hermione and his friends were being kept at a safe distance from the field of fire …if the duel should begin without warning.
"A Bridal challenge has not accrued in the United Kingdom for twenty years for two very good reasons." Dumbledore explained as he glared hard at an otherwise unaffected Ron. "One it is a battle to the death and secondly the survivor doesn't exactly win either. The moment the victor succeeds in killing his opponent he is instantly arrested for Dueling …which is illegal in this country and second degree murder to boot, both punishable with huge prison time in Azkaban. The Victor is not permitted by law to marry until after justice has been done and the full sentence served …which is on average twenty five years.
"Checkmate"
"Damn-it Ronald, you can't marry Hermione either way …so …why do this?" The Headmaster asked genuinely confused.
"It all depends on the definition of winning …doesn't it," Ron replied in a resigned tone. "You told us that only Viktor could cancel the marriage contract …all well and good. I also know that neither he nor you will back down and cancel the contract voluntarily …not now - not ever …another given. The one thing that you both haven't taken into account was my unshakable determination that the only way that Viktor Krum was going to force Hermione to marry him was …over my dead body". Hearing this Ginny gasped, spun about and buried her face in Harry's robes. Hermione fainted dead away …with a nearby Neville barely able to catch her before she hit the ground.
"Mr. Weasley, you're far too good a chess player to box yourself into a corner", Minerva said hopefully. "Surely you've thought of away around this impasse …a way that doesn't involve violence and death?"
"Yes Professor, but that all depends on how reasonable Vicki Krum wants to be", Ron retorted with a smirk. "The headmaster here …already has me defeated, dead as a doorbell …and planted in the ground. But that likely outcome would put poor Viktor the star of Bulgaria's National Quidditch team in Azkaban …for the next twenty odd years or so. Something I'm sure the ambassador wouldn't be too happy about. So my non-negotiable compromise is both straightforward and simple. Vicki can either tear up the contract …which I think unlikely, or postpone this bonding ceremony for the next fourteen days … if he refuses either of these choices …then he must risk death or imprisonment.
"If he backs down now and waits fourteen days …at the end of that time …a mere fortnight from now. Viktor will be free to come back here and ASK the fully adult Hermione to marry him. If a totally free of any kind of mental or physical duress …Miss Granger then decides to say Yes to Viktor's marriage proposal …not only will I then totally drop my bridal challenge, but I will get them the best wedding gift that I can afford to give them.
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The Grangers POV
Unnoticed by the others …Sylvia and Dennis Granger stood together gob-smacked just a feet away holding each other for comfort, obvious to the collapse of their only child in due to shock. There were completely out of their element, in a strange world they didn't understand. They were pale faced by what they had seen and heard and frightened for their daughters future beyond description.
Dumbledore the man they had trusted with their child's well being for the last five years …had turned out to be a villain of the worst sort …and a racist bigot to boot. Then there was the nice boy who had spent so much time in their home as a welcomed guest …the tall muscular internationally famous sportsman who had polished Easter European manners to the point of feeling the need for such traditional niceties as coming forward to ask for their daughters hand in marriage. Now a year later the true Viktor had been revealed and he had turned out to be a liar …a bully …and a pedophile that was hell-bent on forcing Hermione into a loveless marriage, with no intention of even giving lip service to faithfulness.
Finally there was the red-haired boy about whom Hermione had spoken of so often …sometimes with deep affection but more often than not in disgust, a poor as dirt lad that apparently loved their daughter enough to be willing to die for her. Such intense feelings inside a man so young was hard for the Grangers to come to grip with …but then again …this whole morning had turned out to be a mass of confusion and contradictions for the Grangers. Off to one side isolated as two Muggle's surrounded by dozens of witches and wizards and shocked beyond belief Dennis and Sylvia stood there off to one side of the entrance of the largest library that the two of them had ever seen, utterly helpless as a surprisingly courageous young man …fought for their Hermione's freedom.
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"That's all you want to drop this?" Dumbledore asked amazed. "You're not insisting on Miss Granger completing her schooling here?"
"Freedom of choice may not be a big thing to you sir, but we Weasley have a higher regard for women rights than you do …clearly", Ron said with obvious contempt. "But basically …it all boils down to this, I'm prepared to risk my life to set free the girl I love, is Viktor prepared to commit murder to enslave her"?
"Then we are in agreement," Ian asked Krum's hired solicitor from across the room.
"Yes Ian, I afraid that you're Mr. Weasley has done his homework properly. The challenge is valid".
"Alright then, let's get on with it", Ron said struggling to his feet while reaching for his crutches. "Come on Vicki old chum, life is terribly overrated anyway," He half-hearted joked. "Come on over here and fight me you big Bulgarian child molester.
"How dar-u?" Viktor growled greatly insulted.
"One of us is destined to die this day …old chum …while the other ends up in prison. Either way", Ron said with a deadly serious determined tone…"Hermione will be free of both of us".
"Der little boy un crutches, Dis nine challenge to graduate Durmstrang," Viktor said arrogantly in broken English as he tossed off his cloak and drew his drew his wand.
"NAS_TAR_AMM" professor Wallace spat as a thick yellow beam of light came out of the end of his wand and hit Ron's right injured leg making the boy scream in agony and drop to the floor.
"Wallace" Minerva shouted …utterly outraged, stunning everyone motionless.
"Thirty minutes apprentice, not one second more." William said as he put his wand away.
"More than enough Professor," Ron said as he rose to his feet while leaving his crutches on the floor. He stretched and bent his injured leg, testing the temporary magical repair that gave him full use of his damaged limb. "Alright Durmstrang, last chance to walk away …otherwise lets dance.
"Nine can do that, family honor das all". Viktor said getting awkwardly into a fighting stance …for the first time in years
"So be it," Ron replied, assuming a similar stance but with an ease that bespoke a far more recent experience with all forms of wand combat. The difference in getting into position between the two combatants didn't go unnoticed by those familiar with dueling. Viktor himself, was so unnerved by the sight, his self confidence was seriously shaken, perhaps this boy wasn't going to be as easy to defeat as he had thought.
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Hermione POV
When a weak and disorientated Hermione opened her eyes again, the duel was well underway, but with her parents, Pansy and Neville bending over her she couldn't see what was happening. Struggling to her feet over the protests of her parents …Hermione began to push and shove her way through a crowd large enough to encompass most if not all of the entire student body. All of them had gathered in the library to see a very rare duel to the death bridal challenge.
By the time she reached the front …Hermione was struck with the utter silence of the crowd, they were making no more noise than the two combatants, for unlike the taunts of false bravado spat back and forth during Professor Gilderoy Lockhart's dueling club during her second year, participants in a death duel didn't waste air on words …with the only noise coming from the dueling arena …the grunts and groans of strain mixed with the occasional outcry of pain when a hex struck home.
The biggest surprise for Hermione was that her preconceived ideas of how a duel between her two boyfriend/fiancée's would turn out …had been completely wrong. Although it reflected badly on her opinion of Ron as a fighter for she had not really expected him to survive more than a minute against a twenty year old graduate of a school that openly taught the Dark Arts. However, the truth as it had played out …had proven to be the direct opposite, for from all appearances it was Viktor who was the desperate combatant …barely able to hold his own against and surprisingly superior wand fighter …Ron.
Although somewhat favoring his injured leg …Ron appeared totally unmarked by any outward signs of wand damage, his clothing was naturally rumpled from physical effort but it was otherwise intact. Viktor's dress robes on the other hand …showed the cuts, rips and burn marks indicating a far weaker shield against incoming hexes than his far younger opponent.
The duel itself took place above the onlookers for a series of library tables had been pushed together length wise and transfigured into the same kind of elongated dueling area that Harry had used in his duel with Malfoy all those years ago. Elevated above their audience the two fighters were free of the worry of accidentally hitting an innocent bystander. However it was clear to all in attendance especially the now very fearful Ambassador of Romania …that Ron Hand the upper hand in this duel due to better shields and superior offensive hex control.
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Albus POV
Dumbledore …who stood off to one side was simply livid. The Weasley boy had sent to crushing ruin long term plans that Albus had spent years putting into place. Albus had been shocked and angered by how easily he'd been outmaneuvered by a mere sixteen year old boy. Albus had grossly underestimated Ronald's natural talent as a battlefield tactician, and taking the easygoing young man for granted might cost the Anti-Death Eater movement dearly.
The Wizarding community had not had the advantage of a wizard Wellington in battling evil since the Napoleonic Wars. Albus had learned enough military history from after dinner chats with Percy to know that his biggest shortcoming in the Grindelwald War of the nineteen forties and the first Death Eater uprising of twenty years ago had been the lack of a wizard version of Caesar on the side of light. Young master Weasley had all the outward signs of such a budding Caesar …with Krum playing the role of the womanizing Anthony. Only the three sisters of fate would have the twisted sense of humor and irony required to cast Hermione Granger as Viktor and Ron's …Cleopatra.
Now as he watched a dreaded duel take place, his mind raced in rapid revision of his most recent mistakes. Ronald had clearly been right about his error in breaking up his engagement to Granger too soon, for clearly the boy had used the time to his advantage. Albus had been legally rendered helpless by the bridal challenge gambit that William had pointed out nearly a fortnight ago, and Mad-eye must have trained Ronald hard …in secret …over the last ten days to prepare him to face Viktor.
It was now painfully obvious that the Bulgarian had not been in a duel of any sort …in the last three or four years, and whatever wand tricks he might have learned back at Durmstrang all those years ago …had clearly been forgotten. In the first few moments of the duel it became crystal clear to Albus that Viktor Krum was doomed, with only the natural reluctance of Ronald …as a Weasley to kill …delaying the inevitable.
"Expelliarmus" Ron shouted at his angry and frustrated opponent, disarming completely the older man. Viktor knew he'd been beaten, he'd been hit with stinging curses, burning curses and slashing cursed in the same way that a bull is stung into a mad fury …moments before the matador enters the ring in a bullfight. Viktor only half listen to what Ron said to him, for he was half mad in pain …really scared of dieing and franticly desperate to find a way out of this death trap ...as Ron closed the distance between them.
"You had it all Viktor, good looks, international fame …more galleons than I'll ever make combined …in my entire lifetime, and finally you had Hermione. You were dating the most wonderful witch alive, but she wasn't enough for you ...was she. You had to cheat on her again and again, and I could help but wonder why? Then it hit me like a bolt out of the blue …Dumbledore, he put you up to all this … he subtly pushed you to pursue Hermione for far longer than you would have done strictly on your own. He has manipulated all of us into this no-win situation.
"Here …take back your wand," Ron said to the surprise of everyone. "I may not have a noble title like you do, but we Weasley's, poor as dirt as we are …understand Honor. I wouldn't ever be able to look my family in the eye if I killed an unarmed wizard in cold blood. Just give me a moment to get to the other end and we'll start again ...and may the best wizard triumph?"
Ron then slowly turned around and began to make his way back to the other end of the platform. His back turned to his adversary. His last move on the chess board was now complete, every move calculated to bring about the desired result. It was ironic to be the Black Knight again …once again giving his all to protecting his queen. Now that it was over …a strange serenity swept over him as he searched the crowd to catch sight of her,and then he saw her and his entire focus was now on Hermione, the woman he loved, the woman he was about to die for.
"Never turn your back on an armed adversary," How many times had Mad-eye drummed that warning into his head, Ron asked himself in those final moments …as he tried to memorize the features of the pale and frail looking bushy haired temptress that owned his soul. He weakly smiled in her direction and mouthed three silent words, "I Love you."
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as he heard the shout from behind him, the two words he had expected to hear …the two words he had worked so hard to arrange …the words that would save him from Azkaban and the shame of having his own Mum call him a murder.
"AVADA KEDAVRA"
His life didn't flash in front of his eyes, which was a good thing. For Ron didn't want anything from distracting him from having Hermione be the last thing he saw in his life. He felt the impact of something hitting him hard …in the upper center of his back …driving him forward and down. Ron's final thought as the darkness enveloped Ronald Bilius Weasley was how much he was going to miss rowing with Hermione Jean Granger.
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To be continued
I know this is short; it was also hard to write,