A retelling of - BuckNC - classic tale …Dragon Heart …as redone by Billybob
Chapter 37 … Late again Mr. Weasley
Word count within this chapter: 7,294
Billybob note - where did everyone go? -was there a party and I didn't get a invite? to those few still reading this thanks - and please keep reviewing, your insight helps keeps this rewrite honest.
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This re-write will be AU …which means it will be set in an alternate universe – as far from the world JKR wrote about in books six and seven, which means dear reader …that my version of Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione will behave very differently than JKR's …characters. So of course the people in my tale are going to speak and act - 'OUT OF CHARACTER / and OUT OF CANNON' …duh!
Again if you can't handle it – by this point –why are you still reading this?
A semi-Classic Disclaimer: All characters of the Harry Potter books are the sole property of J. K. Rowling, and Time Warner. This remake of the BuckNC 'classic' Dragon heart is strictly for non-profit Internet entertainment of those 'few' who will read it … and if JKR wishes to sue me, tell-her I do not have a dime to my name
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Headmaster's office – just before noon
"You're thirty minutes Late Mr. Weasley" Professor McGonagall said in a disappointed - - to a clearly out of breath and rumpled in appearance Ron as he rushed through the door.
"Sorry all, I was …unexpectedly delayed." Ron retorted in an out of breath gasping tone, his dragon hide jacket sporting two still smoking spots on his right shoulder from freshly made spell burns – there was also a fresh cut or two on his right cheek and chin clearly visible to Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall who reacted to the battle damage with surprise as did a quiet little man who sat perfectly still in his chair - unnoticed by the others in the room.
"Your welcome-home from our Head Girl went better than expected, I see," Professor Snape sneered with his back to Ron - as yet unaware of his battle-disheveled appearance.
"The Head Girl – pant - pant - wants nothing romantic …to do with me - Sir, gasp – pant I thought everyone here 'knew' that. I'm not her type." Ron replied with noticeable anger, "As to my current appearance, - - that is due to a second and 'less than friendly' welcome home that I received from four upstanding pure blood boys from Slytherin House.
"What do you mean Mr. Weasley?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"I mean that I was 'attacked' on my way here, ambushed on the third floor corridor near the room where they once kept Fluffy in …all those years ago.
"Who would do such a thing?" McGonagall demanded to know.
"Ask Snape, he put them up to it" Ron replied bitterly, - looking at the Potion Master's back with clear loathing.
"Preposterous, Headmaster I demand this boy be punished for his lies." Snape retorted unfazed without turning around to look at Ron.
"Ronald, I really am disappointed in you, - I think you owe professor Snape an apology. The Headmaster said dead pan, curious as to how Ron would prove his claim.
"Apologize to the Bat-Git …not on your life – that toad sent four of his goons to kill me and …"
"- - It's a pity" Snape interrupted again still without turning around, "that there are no living witnesses to support you ridiculous accusations."
"OH, I see now, 'not bad' Professor, a 'win-win situation' no matter how it went down - Bravo. Now let's see if I got your plan right," Ron said as Minerva used the tip of her wand to heal the cuts on Ron's face. And once done Ron stepped away from his head of house - traightens up to face the potion Master in a textbook perfect combat stance.
"If your four assassins succeeded in killing me, they would have passed the entrance exam to become Death Eaters - and then you would have snuck them out of the castle before my 'corpse' was discovered and by tomorrow Voldemort would have four more 'proven DE-troopers' in the ranks."
"On the other hand – if in defending myself against four to one odds …I managed 'to kill' even one of my attackers. The barristers of the families of these so-called 'innocent' pureblood children - would use their wealth and influence with the Ministry to have the order of Merlin first class 'alleged hero' of the Romanian Death-Eater camp incident arrested for Murder, tried - convicted and given the kiss, - - - thereby undoing the damage done to the Death Eater cause in the United Kingdom, by discrediting me.
"A flight of pure imagination Mr. Weasley, and utterly un-provable," The Potion Master sneered, although, Dumbledore and McGonagall both found no flaw in Ron's chess logic.
"A good point professor, but that assumes that I disobeyed a direct order"
"What order Ronald" the headmaster asked politely as he looked on in disapproval at the exchange
"Last chance to come clean Bat-Git" Ron said in a warning growl, ignoring the headmasters question - - "the four incompetents you sent my way would have had a half-decent chance against me if even one of them had any idea of the difference between a formalized duel favored by the Wizarding nobility of the Continent and the average Pub Brawl.
Once they lost the element of surprise when I called them-out ... to a man, they emerged from hiding and lined-up to face me - - LINED UP OUT IN THE OPEN. Not one of them understood the most basic concept of Battle strategy or the value of cover. Truth is - - what I just experienced was perhaps the worst ever 'ambush attempt' in history.
There are military advantages to superior numbers – but your four wantabe's threw that advantage away by facing me – standing- perfectly still -in a straight line, they didn't move or try to dodge – they just stood there clumped together making no attempt to spread-out. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. One big stationary target", and when in reply to this Snape still regarded him only with contempt, Ron shrugged his shoulders turned to the headmaster and said with thick formality.
"Mad-eye Moody taught me that a working knowledge of Wizarding custom and law is a Auror's 'best tool' in obtaining a conviction, so with that said; All Hail Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, I a humble citizen, legally of age by Wizarding Law come to you seeking Justice," Ron incanted in a deadly serious tone, according the ancient form of a boon-seeker. Stunned the headmaster responded by reflex
"Come forth citizen and state your case." Albus said semi-stunned
"I come to you today with the charge of five counts of conspiracy to commit murder and four counts of attempted murder. I accuse Vincent Crabbe, Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy of attempted Murder and the same four plus one other - to be named later - of Conspiracy. I present as evidence - captured wands from three of my fallen attackers, these wands were obtained from the scene of the crime according to Auror procedures and regulations. The spell "Priori Incantatem"can be used on any of the captured wands to prove near unforgivable curse level spells –hexes used specifically to kill.
Secondly I stand ready to provide pensive evidence of my memory of the attack from ambush and 'freely and without duress' agree to submit to Veritaserum to support my charges.
"It's a pity there is no one 'living' to dispute these ridicules allegations," Snape countered
"Oh didn't I mention that your precious Head-boy bolted like a jack-rabbit when the battle turned against your wannabe's. - He threw away his wand half way through the fight and cowered by the statue of the humpback wizard and begged for his life after I took-out the others. He was just 'brave' enough to 'sell-you-out' in a futile attempt to save his cowardly arse".
"And you killed him in cold blood I suppose - an unarmed wizard", Snape charged with thick venom.
"Draco would have killed me without hesitation – had the situation been reversed – and you know it. But here again you accuse me of disobeying 'a direct order' from my commander, and therein lays the fatal flaw in your plan. The Headmaster here instructed me in Romania not to go off on any vendettas against any 'DEATH EATERS', to take prisoners whenever possible, so that they could stand trial for their crimes. A good solider obeys orders when he can, and that is what I did.
"You took them ALL alive?" Snape asked in gob-smacked horror
"it wasn't easy, but Yes - I did,"
"Headmaster, you saw no 'immorality' in invading my mind 'illegally' before I left school, feel free now - to look into my memories about the attack, as further proof of my charges."
"Ronald – look me in the eyes!" Albus said as he entered Ron's memories."
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"What he claims happened is true Severus, an apparently carefully planed - unprovoked attack by four students using spells intended to kill," Dumbledore declared sounding very annoyed. "By calling on me according to ancient custom, I am all but forced by law to conduct a full investigation which will naturally including the use of – Veritaserum - on Mr. Weasley's attackers. Is it wrong for me to assume that they would link you to this crime?
"No Headmaster, I did arrange the ambush", Snape replied causally. "The Dark Lord has several highly devoted supporters among the students here - with the greatest number among my Slytherin's, all of whom heard the Weasley girl announce while reading her brothers letters that Ronald would not be returning, and then less than a fortnight later you 'announced to the entire school' a change - that in fact the victorious Weasel would returning to Hogwarts around this time today. This information was passed on to Voldemort who in turn - because of his great defeat in Romania - 'ordered me' to have the boy killed on the first day he returned here."
"And the reason I was not told of this?"
"Plausible deniability of course, as Mr. Weasley has already pointed-out; the situation was a win-win for the school either way. The ordered attack the boy had to be carried out, with the outcome getting four of the most vocal Death Eater supporters out of Hogwarts …either as full-fledged Death Eater 'line troops' for Voldemort - or - dead. The cost was small, one Weasley out of a family of six, a fair exchange for ridding Slytherin of Voldemort's most devote followers. By the way Mr. Weasley …Nicolas will be very disappointed that you took them alive."
"I'm sure he will be," Ron replied, still in his combat stance – never taking his eyes off of Snape.
"Severus, I'm appalled; these are mere boys, and students of your own House. How can you be so casual about their possible death?" McGonagall said shocked beyond words
"They 'botched it' Minerva, and the Dark Lord does not forgive failure - - besides, these boys are as 'good as dead' anyway and for two very good reasons. For one thing; Voldemort will not be happy to learn that four seventh-year Slytherin's couldn't manage to 'kill from ambush' a single 'unsuspecting' Gryffindor. He'll order them killed just for the 'incompetence' that the once again victorious Weasel has just pointed out - - and secondly for being captured alive, which puts me a risk, his so called 'spy in place' here within Hogwarts.
"That's easy to solve, just go down to the third floor scene of attack and obliterate their memories of the entire incident…" Dumbledore said casually to Professor Snape over McGonagall's plain as day disapproval.
"So much for getting Justice in the United Kingdom," Ron declared sarcastically.
"Ronald, in times like these, the rule of law has to be flexible to serve the greater good." The headmaster tried to explain to a clearly annoyed Ron.
"So the lot-of-them get off Scott-free I imagine?"
"Don't think for one minute that this incident with go unpunished, I would just prefer to limit the damage to just those directly involved." Dumbledore said trying to convince Ron to back down.
"Snape hand-picked my assassins, planed it and ordered it done, without letting you know in advance of the premeditated murder of one of your students, …so - how isn't he involved" Ron shouted while never taking his eyes off of Snape.
"Ronald as your overall commander, I am telling you to drop all charges, let the leadership of The Order handle this."
After thinking it over for a couple of minutes, Ron sighed in disappointment his body going back to that of a solider at attention as he said, "alright Sir …I'll obey you, but I have a few conditions".
"Which are?" Minerva said trying for a peaceful solution.
"I want your 'Word of Honor' that my attackers and I mean all four of my attackers - - are to be confined to a specially created dungeons dorm-room outside of Slytherin house when not at class …for the remainder of this 'entire' school year. No meals with their house in the Great Hall, no Hogsmeade visits, social interacting of any kind- or – attending Quidditch matches".
This goes double for the Head Ferret; I want him removed as head-boy, moved permanently out of the head suite- stripped of all power and authority. He and his fellow criminals are to set a part - I want them all officially shunned by the rest of the school.
"I can't unilaterally remove the Head-boy from office", Albus explained reasonably. "I can however 'suspend him' and remove him from the head suite, - but only the Board of Governors can remove Mr. Malfoy's head-badge permanently. I will be informing them of this case of attempted murder and recommending proper punishment,"
"Good enough – as long as from 'this moment onward to the end of term' we have Hermione as the one and only Air-head" Ron countered.
"Agreed", Albus replied
"- - And as for housing the accused"? Minerva inquired.
"There are plenty of empty dungeons down there that can be converted for this purpose. I'm serious about this - they are to be 'shirked' by their Housemates with a 500 house point automatic deduction imposed for any contact reported by anyone between my attackers and any other Slytherin".
"If just one of them breaks this deal – or - their solitary confinement is ended prematurely for any reason; then all four are to be expelled, and their records here expunged as untrained wizards.
Also, when- or -if …those fine pureblood boy's try again, - I want you as headmaster to personally abuse-your-office to bend the law in my favor …if those fine boy's 'accidentally' end up deeply mutilated or dead during their second attempt.
"I must protest Headmaster, this deal 'stanchions murder' if they try again - secondly their punishment is the same as prison" Snape said furiously.
"As for you Bat-git, I formally warn you - that I won't be as easy to defeat as Harry was - during the DE raid conducted at the end of my sixth-year", Ron said with an animal like growl. If your master orders you to personally kill me to rectify your pure-blood boy's- botched attempt -and you fail as they did – I won't leave enough of you to bury".
"You think Nicolas taught you enough to take me out?" Snape sneered loudly in contempt
"In a heartbeat – besides - If there was any justice in this country - Azkaban - is where these upstanding boys would be right now …you too for that matter!" Ron retorted hotly.
"Ronald calm your-self," Minerva said appealing to her grandmother like status in Ron's mind to make him see reason. "Do you have any other conditions?"
"Yes Professor a really big one," Ron said in a deadly serious tone. "I want the names of all wantabe's at Hogwarts – I'm sure the Bat Git knows who they are".
"I refuse," Snape spat with derision
"I agree with Professor Snape, those boys and girls can yet be saved". Dumbledore said with a frown of disapproval.
"Fair enough," Ron replied having fully expected this countermove. "In that case then I must consider- ALL -of Slytherin house - as a 'deadly threat' to my primary. And any attack 'large or small' on me, my sister, Harry or Miss Granger from anyone in this school - as being pre-planned and fully authorized by the BAT GIT here. Which means sir - 'deadly-force level' retaliation …against all of those involved".
"Is that a threat boy?"
"You started this – I'll finish it."
"Stop it both of you – I'll have no duels in my office". Dumbledore said unhappily.
"Then leash your dog. If your spy will not reveal who are the DE wantabe's here - then all Slytherin's must be considered potential murderers", Ron replied more than ready to fight.
"This is preposterous!" Snape snarled in outrage –wise-enough not to make any sudden moves.
"To whom Severus," Minerva hissed from nearby - equally outraged on Ron's behalf. "You admit to sanctioning the cold-blooded murder of one of my students - you planned it and helped carried it out – I don't believe it unreasonable for my student to want to know how many other potential murderers you have in your house".
"Minerva - please?" Albus protested.
"Please what?" She answered. "For years beyond counting Slytherin has bullied and intimidated the other Houses. - Gryffindor isn't the only house to have suffered from the bias of Severus in protecting the wrong doers. I and the other Heads of Houses have warned you of this Albus, and now Slytherin is the source of attempted murder".
"This is a isolated incident I'm sure", Albus said trying to do damage control.
"Rubbish Albus, - if you don't take serious steps to curb these kinds of over-the-top incidents you may well have open-war going on in our Hallways.
"I won't allow that to happen." Albus said firmly.
"You've done little to stop it so far and both Filius Flitwick and Pomona Sprout have spoken to me repeatedly about the growing lawlessness of Slytherin". Minerva said to which Ron could only look on gob-smacked at his head of House defend him".
"Minerva …calm yourself".
"No Albus – I don't think I will - not this time, we are talking attempted murder here! An crime your potion master planned. Sweet Merlin Albus – what will it take to get a reaction out of you? As you might recall I strongly objected to what Nicolas taught to Ronald in Romania – but clearly that training save his life today. I agree with Ronald about the potential threat from Slytherin and will do all in my power to protect Him and the other members of my house from the killers in Slytherin".
"Are you threatening me too, Minerva," Severus sneered arrogantly.
"You touch a hair on her head – and I'll - -" Ron growled
"- - That won't be necessary Roland," Minerva interrupted. "I may look old, but I can still take care of myself."
"Gryffindork bravado, - how quint"? Snape scoffed.
"Remember Bat Git – not enough to bury." Ron growled again like an angry lion ready to pounce.
"Stop this at once, we've gotten off topic here – Let's finish-up the terms of - the guilty four's punishment. Shall we"? Dumbledore said trying to keep things reasonable. "Is there anything else you want done Mr. Weasley?" Not at all happy that this 'unfortunate occurrence' had caused an 'open rift' in the relationship of his senior staff.
"Yes sir - - There is to be no blaming the imperious curse for what just happened. The Bat Git can go and wipe their memories concerning 'how' they got the order to kill me - - to protect his sorry-arse, - - but our four wantabe assassins can't hide from what they tried to do under the excuse of the imperious curse. I demand the whole incident be made an official Hogwarts secret…"
"Ronald that will be the last time I want you to forget Professor Snape proper name and title- -" Dumbledore said as Snape smiled in approval.
"You want me to show respect for the bloke that just admitted to his part in trying to kill me?" Ron asked genuinely amazed.
"The boy has a point Albus". Minerva said.
"It's in the rules," Dumbledore said somewhat weakly.
"Alright, I'll try – but your potion master better avoid me in future - if he gives me the slightest excuse I hex him into the hospital wing", Ron snarled. "As for the incompetent children he sent because he was to cowardly to face me himself –my terms stand as stated, break any part of this deal and the gloves come off – and I take justice in my own hands - - is that understood".
"Yes- yes – you have my word - the internal school punishment for the guilty will last until the end of term. And by making it an official school Secret will mean that the entire school will know truth," Dumbledore said far too casually for Minerva's liking - - interrupting Ron with a huge smile of approval and a twinkle in his eye. "That way the Death Eater wantabe moment inside of Hogwarts will have suffered another hugely humiliating defeat at Mr. Weasley's hands – thus encouraging the neutrality rumors currently running amuck inside Slytherin house.
"Yes sir, that's the idea," Ron retorted.
"Headmaster this is outrageous, you're not seriously considering this proposal …are you?" Snape demanded with his usual snarl.
"I'd take the plea bargain if I were you Severus," Minerva said with a sneer, "My student is being more than generous, attempted murder would mean twenty years in Azkaban for all five of you otherwise."
"I agree with Minerva, and there will be no reprisals point wise against any other House for this failure Severus. No detentions given-out either. Also I'll want to see you in my office first thing tomorrow to discuss withholding information from the Order".
"Yes Headmaster," Snape said acknowledging the unspoken dismissal as with cloak flaring dramatically he swept from the room.
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Entitled: - The headmaster the lion and the wardrobe
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"Is it my turn now?"
"Sweet Merlin …Harold," Dumbledore exclaimed in surprise, "I'd forgotten that you were here with us, I don't need to tell you – do I? - that what you heard in this room…"
"…Stays in this room," the tiny man said finishing the thought with a chuckle. "Honestly Albus, as long as I've been an agent for the Order inside the Ministry, you'd think that by now you would have come to appreciate my ability to hide in plain sight".
"Yes – yes – yes. Stay perfectly still in a room of overly active people does tend to make one almost invisible. But pulling you back onto task now, what do you think of our Mr. Weasley?"
"Let's not rush to judgment here Albus; I need to ask some questions first. For example, during this ambush, were you tempted to transform?" The tiny man asked Ron.
"Yes sir at first, the temptation was very strong".
"But you resisted the 'call of nature', did you not, in spite of a four to one disadvantage?"
"Yes sir
"Why?
"The promise I made to the headmaster, to take prisoners. If I had transformed, the- 'predator instinct to kill'- would have been all but overwhelming – just the way it happened during the Rockwood tent incident – which I now remember fully. Staying human was my 'only chance' to take them alive.
"Do you now 'regret' that decision, now that you know the truth about the impossibility of getting any kind of true Justice within the United Kingdom?
"HAROLD!
"Albus, you told the boy to bring criminals in to face justice and the first time he does it, you bend the law to protect the perpetrators from a clear-cut case of attempted murder - - just to serve an obscure political end. Great morality lesson you just taught Albus, one that this boy won't soon forget I'll wager. What was it …that you were trying to convey - - two different standards for criminal acts - or – that the ends justify the means?"
"Harold, please …address the issue at hand, and save rubbing my face in my own hypocrisy for a later time".
"Ok then! Mr. Weasley, how many types of animal can you shape-shift into?
"Just the one, a Cat!", - Ron retorted
"Excuse me I misspoke, how many different types of Cat can-you transform into!"
"Oh, well in that case, - so far …just – seven," - Ron retorted
"Are all of them predators?"
"No sir – six are normally considered to be oversized predators and one is a domesticated house cat," - Ron retorted
"Which type of cat is easiest to transform into?
"The enormous version of a prehistoric saber tooth red-Panther," Ron replied
"…and the Hardest?"
"The house-cat," - Ron retorted
"I realize that you are tried after your hall-way wand battle, but would be so kind as to show us a couple of transformations?"
(Twenty minutes later)
"Thank-you Mr. Weasley, that was most impressive. Now here is what I want you to do, try to take some time each day to transform into all of your cat forms".
"I do that now, sir," - Ron retorted respectfully.
"Every day?"
"Yes sir," - Ron retorted
"Why?"
"So I can sleep," Ron replied somewhat embarrassed. "I've just finished a most unusual multi-month co-op away from school, and my transformation at night was actually, professor Remus Lupin's idea. He felt it might be a way to reduce the nightmares that I suffer from, - for as an oversized 'panther', life is a lot less 'complicated', as it kills to survive. We humans have moral and religious inhibitions against killing …even in self defense - and this moral conflict cause trauma which triggers my nightmares".
"That's a rather brilliant psychological concept. When did you first start these night-time transformations?" Harold asked sounding intrigued.
"I began to transform into a prehistoric red-panther a few nights before the Headmaster first came to see me. This Giant Cat which actually looks 'more like' a gigantically-huge 'cougar of today - than a modern-day black panther.
"Are there noticeable differences besides size and color?" Harold asked.
"Yes sir, as a saber tooth - Nicolas discovered a toughness of hide that is vastly superior to the spell resistance qualities to most 'hexes of power'. Old Nick felt my panther was comparable in skin toughness to the average adult Dragon, Giant or Troll."
"So in this prehistoric panther form - you'd be extremely hard to kill".
"Yes sir, difficulty to harm appears to be in direct proportion to size of the transformation," - Ron retorted. "Anyroad; as I said I started to transform at night just before the visit of the Headmaster, and every night thereafter. I'd wander about a-bit around the preserve buildings after midnight and then a full night's sleep would come easily to me.
"What you are now, Mr. Weasley is a rarity - genetic throwback as it were. As with any gift – changing into multiple cats will come with its own fair share of pro's and con's I'd suggest headmaster that you allow this young man the freedom of your castle at night", Harold declared firmly. "I also suspect that his old dorm room has become somewhat claustrophobic since he left and I highly recommend that one of the smaller unused classrooms or the old married student quarters in the abandoned east tower be converted into a 'lion's den' for Ronald's use.
"Yeah, your spot-on about that," Ron declare in a surprised tone, - "it's odd really - before I left, it was roomy enough, but I was just in it a-bit ago and now the dorm feels downright tiny.
"Creating a sort-of… 'lion's den' will not be a problem Ronald, I will undertake the task personally - - but will you be able to avoid the prefect patrols, and Mrs. Norris?" Minerva asked.
"Of course he will," Harold retorted with a chuckle, "he'll be able to sense their location from far off. - Mrs. Morris in particular will avoid his territory 'once marked' out of an instinctive sense of self-survival. Mr. Weasley will hear, see and smell them - long before they come anywhere near him, and Mr. Weasley don't be surprised if 'most if not all' of your cat augmented senses carries over into your human form …or have you already discovered this?"
"Yes sir I have, I knew with one exception the identity of everyone in this room from more than half-way down the hall." Ron admitted
"Another reason why the Slytherin ambush didn't work," Harold informed Dumbledore and McGonagall, "for no matter where or how well they hid from Mr. Weasley, he could smell them long before he came into spell range. Those Death Eater wantabe assassins' never had a chance actually".
"Harold need I remind you…" Dumbledore began only to be cut off by Harold, who raised one hand to stop the headmasters rant.
"No Albus …you don't have to tell me again. However, in light of what I have overheard today …I assume that Severus Snape had no foreknowledge of Mr. Weasley 'special' talent".
"I was going to tell him after you confirmed Remus Lupin's initial diagnosis of Mr. Weasley being 'what he is' - a totally untrained shape shifter. But now in light of his part in the attempted murder – I think it better to withhold this truth from him," Albus said this not realizing as he said this that all the Headmaster portraits and a fair few of the ghosts were listening in very closely. One of the ghosts, the official Ghost of Ravenclaw took particular interest in the Headmasters words.
"For this young man's direct benefit - I am going to have to 'officially contradict' - Remus diagnosis of Mr. Weasley 'talent' and I strongly suggest you tell Severus my new diagnosis… only." Harold said with extra firmness.
"You know of course Albus, that the irrational fear and prejudice against shape shifters even 'untrained ones' is a hundred times worse than the current bigotry imposed against werewolves. If the Ministry or the Death Eaters were to learn of Mr. Weasley's potential abilities, he might have so many restrictions forced upon him - as to make prison feel liberating. Even the remote possibility of Mr. Weasley at some point becoming a shape-shifter in future could make life very difficult for him.
"I was going to speak to you Harold along those lines, and it's gratifying to discover your empathy with Ronald's plight," Albus said greatly reassured.
"Yes – yes, quite right, well as I said – it would be a totally different issue if there was a shape-shifter still alive anywhere in the world to gently-coax Mr. Weasley into his full potential – luckily for all of us - there hasn't been a living full shape-shifter seen anywhere in Europe for the last two or three centuries.
"Why lucky?"
"According to legend and folk-lore …a fully trained shape-shifter can literally transform into anything – birds. Animals and even other people – and like a human chameleon they could - even while moving - blend into their surroundings so perfectly as to be totally invisible. They could turn into inanimate objects like furniture at the blink of an eye - - at least according to legend ...that is". Harold said in a matter of fact tone.
"Just the fact that all you can ONLY change into is cats is a 'blessing' and makes Lupin's preliminary diagnoses incorrect. Remus knowledge of dark creatures is impressive but shape-shifter 'folklore' isn't his specialty. I say it's lucky because if you actually were a 'shape shifter'- your very existence would pose such a threat to England's magical community – it would be my swore-duty under current-law to try to kill him here and now".
"You're not serious?" Minerva asked horrified.
"The law is the law, Professor". Harold explained. "Multiple cat forms is the key here. Remus Lupin 'alleged' this young man was a shape shifter 'because' of his unusual ability to transform into more than one animal - but we have records of several- Multiple Animagius – currently living peacefully in England today, it is an extremely rare gift but not an overly dangerous one.
"So I'm not a shape shifter?" Ron asked sounding a-touch disappointed.
"No I don't think so" – Harold said in a reassuring tone while glancing at all the headmaster portraits who were both awake and listening in very closely. "If you were, only multiple Killing curses hitting you at the same time could even harm you, Have you tried to transform into something other than a cat?"
"Yes sir, Remus asked me too - but I couldn't manage it," Ron replied sadly.
"Don't be disappointed lad"; Harold said feeling greatly relieved as he noticed even a greater number of the castle ghosts now leaning out of solid-stone looking on. 'This 'show' regretfully had a huge audience' Harold thought to himself and that worried the tiny wizard as he looked through the assembled ghosts looking for one in particular.
"Being a shape-shifter is more of a magical handicap for anyone inflicted with it than a real benefit" Harold said aloud in way of warning.
"Remus Lupin made a mistake, because he most likely doesn't know that shaper-shifters as a sub-wizard species 'died out' centuries ago and have officially been declared by the Ministry an extinct mutation. Personally I think that Lupin acted irresponsibly to try to push you into different animals to prove or disprove his incorrect shape shifter theory".
"With that thought in mind – I should warn you to not try to expand the number of cats you can currently transform into - unsupervised by someone 'fully knowledgeable' on the subject of your 'gift'," - Harold said as he finally made eye contact with the one ghost he was looking for - whose head nodded slightly in the affirmative - at the unspoken request.
"We in the Department of Mysteries have discovered that the main problem with 'multiple transformers' is sooner or later - Mr. Weasley runs the risk of transforming into a cat and then be unable to change back. This disadvantage has been known to happen to even regular Animagius – isn't that so Minerva", Harold said firmly.
"Yes that is correct Ronald. You and I need to spend some time in private to more clearly 'define' your seven cats, - your transformation time is quite remarkable compared to mine – but Harold is right - the risk of not being able to change back should always be kept in mind".
"When is the risk the greatest?" Ron asked now genuinely worried.
"If you are seriously overtired – or – badly injured as a cat. Harold said sternly. But now that we have determined what you are not - - I think it is better for all concern legally speaking that I classify young Ronald here – 'more correctly' - as a multiple Animagius rather than an 'illegal' shape shifter. And as long as he 'only' transforms into cats – that diagnoses is perfectly correct." Harold said in a no-nonsense tone staring his warning directly into Ron's eyes - as he rose to his feet to leave.
"I don't understand sir?" Ron said sounding puzzled.
"Even highly educated people miss the dividing line between a multiple Animagius and a shaper shifter. Cats lack the Pack Mentality but on the other hand they are very much territorial animals. They are very protective of anything the regard as belonging to them. This is particularly true for their mate. Male lions fight other lions to the death in defense of their pride. Would it be indelicate of me to ask about you and the Head-Girl?
"My feelings for the lady are one-sided; apparently I'm not her type". Ron said deeply embarrassed.
"Good- good … a girl must be very special to be married to the 'thing' – you might become. And legally speaking, even as a 'multiple' – you are no longer considered fully human by the Ministry – which makes you under magical law – a thing. instead of just a wizard"
"Yes sir Nicolas told me that already," Ron admitted sadly – feeling a little-bit more isolated from the rest of humanity than when he had entered the office.
"By limiting your in-public transformations to the house cat and keeping the enormous saber tooth panther in reserve - that way no-one will jump to the same 'incorrect conclusion' as Remus Lupin did".
"I still want you to transform into the biggest cat you can manage - when it's late at night and you are unlikely to encounter any other students. Harold pointed out. "During the day however - transforming into any of the other cats would be fine as long as these cats are of the 'proper size'."
"So the lion, tiger and leopard are alright". Ron asked
"As long as they are no bigger than the way a Muggle would see them - of course it will be alright. Minerva I think can help you define the size issue. But the more I think on it... the more I believe that the house-cat form would be preferable for you – during daytime - as it's less threatening to the narrow minded".
"Try transforming as often as possible into a young cat or better still …a cute kitten. Underplay your strength around others …especially around your enemies; let them underestimate you – keeping the saber-tooth panther in reserve until you need it most".
And with that said - Minerva and Albus fell into a loud heated discussion on where to locate Ron's Lion's den - meanwhile Harold pulled Ron aside and leaned in close and whisper something important into Ron ear – a-bit of private advise that left the boy very surprised - - and then after making his farewells - left the headmasters office and Hogwarts for London.
OoOoOoOo
"That was excellent advice Ronald, something I endorse completely, but what did he say to you at the end" Dumbledore asked with McGonagall nodding her head in agreement, come back here after dinner with Harry and you can give your report.
"Sir, with no offense intended," Ron began with hesitation, "but I think Mr. Harold last bit advice was a-bit mental. He told me to talk to the all ghosts here at Hogwarts - about what they remember from two hundred years ago and the horrible mistreatment of shape shifters – back then – as a warning to me of the great-danger to me personally - if anyone here even remotely thinks I can one-day become a shape-shifter. Kind-of odd don't you think?" Ron asked respectfully.
"Shifters were hunted down and burned at the stake in their human form as I recall. Perhaps, he has a reason for his caution; I highly suggest you follow his advice. For the present you are dismissed, return after lunch with Harry", Albus began.
"Unless Harry has become an official member of the Order of the Phoenix since I left - - I believe he should be excluded. The report I'm about to present concerns ongoing Eastern European Order operations, which in my view should not be passed-on to people who make a habit of making - private business - into a Friday evening public entertainment".
Both professors were of course offended by this comment.
"I was in the Great Hall for the reading of most of your letters …Ronald," Dumbledore replied stiffly, "and they provided a huge moral boast for the students here - that outweighed any security violation concerns. Mr. Potter is involved in this war as much as you are and has a right to know what's going on.
"As you command - Sir. " Ron said standing at rigid military style Attention.
"While we are speaking of order Business," Albus said in an apologetic tone, "I wish to express my regret at not informing you of your official status within the Order sooner, mainly out of fear of your mothers negative reaction – therefore I didn't not place your name officially on the rolls until this morning.
"My Mum now knows all about my …activities in Romania …thanks in large part …to you giving the Head-Girl permission to visit my home the night of my return to England.
"Yes Arthur told me that …this morning".
"Thank-you for the reminder, as I have not expressed my proper gratitude, to you Sir and to my Head-of House for the 'steps' you both took in protecting the 'privacy' of my letters." Ron said with rigid formality.
"About that …" Minerva said suddenly deeply embarrassed.
"No need to apologize to a doormat, Professor. You both - played me - expertly by letting me go to the preserve thinking it was 'just' to get over …my heartbreak. Nothing in the homework assignment sent to me - did any of the staff …'clue-me-in' to my letters being read aloud," Ron said in a monotone in a futile attempt to hide his bitterness.
"Ronald, Minerva had no part in my decision to send you into combat or to keep the secret of the letter writing from you. I bare full responsibility for that, " Dumbledore declared firmly as McGonagall standing nearby looked deeply hurt at the implication
"If you say so …Sir," was Ron stiff reply – clearly in disbelief.
"Getting back to your status as an Order member," Albus said with no small amount of self-loathing over what he had done to the boy in front of him. "After speaking to your father this morning, now that you are officially on the 'OotP' roster, this retro-active change in status means that the same monthly stipend your brother Charlie receives will start to be deposited in your Gringotts account …perhaps as soon as this afternoon."
Ron made no reply to this; instead he remained in a rigid military style attention.
"You'll shortly find three months' worth of… back-pay, plus interest in there, Ronald." Albus said trying and failing to make amends, "As well as six-month's worth of half-pay as a Romanian Auror," Albus said with a half-smile. "The Eastern-European Ministers voted to give you the Galleons as a gesture of their gratitude for locating the Camp. They also insisted on presenting you with the Romanian 'Order of the Wounded Lion' which is their version of our Order of Merlin first Class
"That's a great honor Mr. Weasley." Minerva said smiling weakly nearly overcome with remorse.
"Will that be all, Sir?" Ron said without emotion.
"Yes, dismissed," Ron saluted – then spun around and departed.
"Albus, what happened to that boy?" Minerva said
"Wand combat …death and I'm the one that sent him into all that …may God forgive me." Albus said nearly in tears of regret.
OoOoOo
O
End Tran – for now