A retelling of - BuckNC - classic tale …Dragon Heart …as redone by Billybob
Editedand tweaked even more by Eckles71
Chapter # 51 of 70
Entitled: - Misadventures of Dragon-heart
Words in this chapter: 9,205
Billybob note: Hey – remember us? No we haven't died – we just went off for a bit to see if you'd miss us. Well I'm back and fully prepared to abuse the written word right-left and center.
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Ron's POV:
Ron knew only one thing after 17-years of living on this planet and this was it : 'Girl's were weird.' Probably not the most profound of statements, but one that was completely accurate from his perspective. Just when he thought he had a grasp of the fairer sex, they would do something completely unexpected. Not that at present he was complaining. In fact if he was to be asked later by Harry he'd probably say that he enjoyed that he didn't understand them. It made life more interesting. More exciting.
Case in point, right at this moment, he had the love of his life trying to suck the oxygen from his lungs. Ten minutes earlier he was more then willing to swear her out of his life for good. Yeah, like that would have actually happened. But, now? Now was a completely different Quidditch Game, and he was enjoying every second of it.
Ron wasn't quite sure why his eyes' were shut, his head was tilted, and his lips were moving over someone else's. Even his hands were in on the act as his right hand was running through something entangled and his left hand seemed to be pulling at the 'perk bottom' of someone he was kissing to bring her even closer to him. His entire body and it's physical urgings were completely involuntary. It was though he was someone else. His mind was heady with every desire and every possibility.
Unfortunately, after running out of air he thought it might be wise to find out 'who' he was kissing so passionately. He had to be certain it wasn't another one of his randy day-dreams that he always was having about Hermione.
Ron reluctantly opened his eyes to see the face of Hermione pressed up against his.
Wait a minute – this was – it couldn't be? …WHOA!
Hermione as if sensing his consciousness pulled back from the kiss and slowly stepped back, a sort of breathless look of joy on her face like she had just received an 'Outstanding mark' on a really hard Ancient Runes test or something.
If that wasn't weird enough - Ron somehow, found himself in the middle of the Leaky Caldron with Harry, Ginny, Percy, Bill, and a bunch of unknown patrons of the pub looking at him like he was completely nutters. Of course, he thought for a second he might be, after all; 'Sweet Baby Maeva - did my dream really come true, did I actually kiss Hermione Granger? And …why is everybody looking at me?
He felt like he woke up from the world's greatest dream. During the kissing he had felt a surge of magic course-through him making every nerve ending tingle. The feeling was indescribable … but then reality came crashing back down on his head when he realized just how many people were staring at both him and the young woman in his arms.
"About bloody time," Harry said, smiling from ear to ear. Although overjoyed at the miracle he had just witnessed – he also knew that his closest female friend simply hated public displays of affection and also knew that later on today, when the adrenaline of this moment had worn off that she would be horrified at the spectacle she had made of herself and Ron. So in order to distract her from thinking too much of that future moment, Harry, quickly brought everyone's attention back onto him-self.
"If the Dolohov vaunt was empty when it was supposed to contain a thousand plus in gold, - then this whole adventure turned out to be a wild goose chase."
Bill quickly contradicted Harry's statement, after he surrendered a well-deserved winked at Ron, "You'd be right except for two little details. Like I said Harry, the vault had to have been emptied sometime after Dolohov death, and according to Daily Prophet, that was 'only' a couple of days ago. Secondly there was far more than one thousand in there when the gold disappeared.
"According to the records Perce and I saw, the last physical inventory of that particular vault was a fortnight ago and during that audit it showed some four million in gold still in there, …so somewhere between the inventory and this morning - that vault was emptied ...with no paper trail as to 'who did it', or where the gold 'went'."
"We were able to find out that Dolohov had an inbound gold transfer pending on the day he died," Percy interjected thoughtfully. "And according to the Goblin's records that transfer was to come from two still 'active' vaults; a trust fund account and a dowry account. With the transfer still pending, I put a Ministry lien on the incoming transfer. That meant that the Goblins were compelled to take us to the vaults to get the funeral money owed to the Ministry. To the goblins gob-smacked surprise they too also proved to be empty."
"Only a Gringotts Goblin account manager- or -someone who has legal rights to the vault would be able to 'remove' anything from it." Hermione spoke matter-of-factly as she returned to her seat after removing herself from straddling Ron. A light shade of bright pink discolouring her cheeks.
"That's right. And because of that well known fact - it was then that; all-hell broke loose within both Gringotts and the Ministry. The goblins who were our escorts had a major hissy-fit and had to call in the branch supreme Manager. You see, both a trust fund and dowry account are officially designated as deposit only vaults - which made any transfer out of them highly illegal," Bill explained, leaning forward in a conspiratorial way to help emphasis the enormity of the situation.
"Neither individual that they are set up for can control or withdraw even a single Knut out of their vaults. In the case of this particular trust fund vault, for example, not one hen-penny could be touched until the student in-question either reached the age of twenty five or graduated from Hogwarts as a fully certified Wizard.
"The Trust Fund Vault, it belonged to the Head ferret didn't it?" Ron asked in a grim depressed tone. Ron's referencing of Draco caused Hermione to nervously turn around to face away from Ron, no longer able to bare the hurt and disappointment that she suspected now showed on her Love's face.
The second youngest Weasley' eyes glazed over, taking on the visage of a man looking a thousand yards in the distance. To an outside observer he would have appeared to be in some lost and tormented thought. But truth was he was drawn to how differently his life was now, after a simple and passionate kiss then it was this time yesterday.
The thing was, Ron wasn't feeling the least bit 'jealous' of Hermione's past boyfriend's, at least not at that moment anyway. His not so funny holiday in Romania had taught him many lessons and one of the more important ones was not to waste precious time with either resentment or jealousy. A claim that was at times easier said than done. The ferret, Viktor, Justin … even Harry. Those blokes had won her romantic favor, but where were they now? Whose lips was she kissing less than two-minutes ago? His. And if he had his way, she would be kissing his lips alone till his dying day. Still, it didn't help that whenever 'The Ferret's' name came up in conversation that he felt that the blonde-haired git was stealing something precious from him. Stealing her time, stealing her history.
But Oh Merlin she smells …so beautiful. Ron thought as he deliberately tried to focus on anything but the unwanted 'painful mental vision' of Draco shagging his girl senseless in the Head-Suite. He closed his eyes to the psychological pain and breathed in deeply the 'vanilla scent' of her bushy brown hair to defuse the situation.
'Savor the moment' he said to himself again and again. Don't allow what you have only just now gained to be ruined.
"That's right, the trust fund vault did belong to Draco, but he couldn't legally order a transfer of funds until after he graduates, which isn't for another five months, that means he personally cannot be behind the missing gold," Bill explained.
"Damn-it there goes my hope of the ferret joining his father in Azkaban," grumbled Harry. "Okay, how about the other empty vault, who did that one belong to?
"The dowry vault that we found empty was opened seventeen years ago for one - Pansy Genevieve Parkinson - and after coming of age she could never touch the gold in her vault - - as it's content's constitutes her marriage dowry. The gold legally belongs to her future husband and he cannot withdrawal from it until ten days after a legally binding wedding ceremony has been 'fully consummated'. Her parents can lawfully take out gold, but there is no record of them ever doing so. The Parkinson account was audited just two days back and what was in-there then …is gone now", Percy explained ever so formally.
The Boy-Who-Lived pondered this dilemma. Why couldn't everything have come off 'neat-and-tidy'. But they were now left with more questions than they had answers, and on top of that there was a mystery of missing millions and a dowry unaccounted for. Anxiously he looked over to his best friend. Ron had been the one who had spearheaded everything from the start of this investigation, he must have had an inkling on how best to proceed. Unfortunately what met his eyes was not a focused-Ron. But rather a Ron whose mind looked as though it was anywhere but where they were presently sitting.
"Hey Ron, stop staring a Hermione and rejoin the discussion, will you? We need to figure out what to do next…"
Ron was drawn out of his daze to see a frown on Harry's face, and an exaggerated eye-rolling look from Ginny, and a pleading look from Hermione to come back to earth. "Yes… yes. I was paying attention … Empty Vault's … No Access recorded … Theft of million's." The red-head snapped at the bespeckled best friend. "Did I miss anything?"
"Err … The Minister of Magic will most certainly hear of this multiple robbery, with over four million in gold removed from the three vaults - without the approval of the owners, it is just a matter of time before a major financial disaster takes place," Percy declared. "Once the public learns that their money is no longer safe in their Gringotts vaults, - - that the goblins entrusted with protecting their assets are in fact helping themselves to the gold in their vaults. The instantaneous loss of confidence could-well result in a rash of withdrawals from Goblin banks worldwide.
"The entire financial world would be ruined overnight by this news, perhaps irreversibly as there has never been the need to question the Goblins guarantee on the safety of their depositors." Bill declared with an evil smirk.
"Luckily for the Goblins they had a loyal employee like Bill there, to brow beat the pompous Ministry official… meaning me …into giving an internal Goblin investigation time to return the lost funds," Percy said with a self-satisfied smile. "Even the goblin branch manager acknowledged that the theft was done by a pack of traitorous Goblins' acting in He-who-must-not-be-named service," Percy continued - almost chuckling.
"Right. So how much of that four million belongs to Malfoy and Parkinson?" Harry asked
"About seven hundred thousand was in the trust and one hundred thousand in Parkinson's dowry," Percy replied automatically.
"And we don't think old Tom has anything to do with it?" Ron asked.
"I doubt it – each individual galleon weighs one troy ounce, that's about 125 metric tons of gold. Not an easy thing to move secretly. No the gold is still in Gringotts the question of the hour however is - where"? Percy said
"The Goblin community and the London branch manager himself - were willing to do just about anything to avoid a worldwide financial panic," Bill said smiling broadly, "I pointed out that a wedding before June was unlikely in Miss Parkinson's case and as the trust fund wasn't accessible by young master Malfoy until around the same time that would give the goblin community five months to either find the stolen gold or replace it out of their own funds. The deal Percy and I made in exchange for granting the bank this extra time is the reason we acquired the uncensored account ledgers for the Dolohov vault.
"I still don't understand the problem." Ron asked puzzled. "So what if you don't have the gold? We still have the ledger. We have all the information we wanted, the names of the pure-blood depositors into Dolohov's 'DE' vault. With that we'll soon know who has been backing Voldemort financially here in the United Kingdom. With those names we can cut the Death Eaters off monetarily - -"
"- -Just like Ron did in Eastern Europe a month ago," Harry exclaimed happily interrupting his best mate.
"Yes and NO Harry" Bill replied his smile instantly fading. "All goblin account ledgers are encrypted using an ancient Goblin battle code that dates back to their last rebellion against us wizards. No living human has been able to decipher a Goblin account ledger in the last one hundred and fifty years. That's why the Goblins gave us no trouble about loaning the Dolohov account ledger to us. They have every reason to feel confident that their code is unbreakable."
Ron laughed at his brother's errant comment, concluding his chuckles with an amused shaking of the head.
Unlike Ron though, his eldest brother didn't see anything even remotely amusing. In fact he was feeling quite frustrated at their predicament. "Ronald, don't you understand me? I've worked for Gringotts and even after ten years of employment I can probably only understand one word in ten of their language and that's when they aren't encrypted."
"Yeah – yeah, …so what? We have a secret weapon. One that they and you obviously haven't accounted for."
"Yeah? And what's that?"
"Not a 'what', a 'who'. The same secret weapon that has pulled mine and Harry's arse out of the fire more times then I care to admit. Someone you and the goblins have never encountered on a one-on-one battle of wits before. Someone who excels at solving the unsovible, dcyphering the undecipherable. The undisputed smartest Witch of her Age, Hermione Jean Granger. Go on, Bill, Perce, look at her. Even now, she is working out the means to break this so called unbreakable code for us. Searching through that magnificent, bushy-haired mind for us every obscure reference she has ever read on Goblin's. And trust me guys, if it's ever been written then she's probably read it." Ron boasted - his overwhelming pride in his lady-love undeniable.
Hermione, who'd been lost in thought, suddenly became aware that everyone was looking at her, instantly self-conscious she exclaimed… "WHAT?"
"Is Ron right? Have you thought of a way to break the goblin code?" Bill asked sounding more amused than surprised.
Stunned by the question Hermione answered automatically, "Well … yes actually, I'm sure there is a way, there are plenty of books on the goblin rebellions in the Hogwarts library, a collection bigger by far than the Ministry archives. I was just sorting out in my head a classic two pronged approach to this problem. Percy could check the top-secret archives within the Ministry, with his father's as under-secretary to the Minister - opening doors that would be otherwise closed to us.
"Meanwhile I could consult with Professor Binns the History of Magic instructor; he's the leading authority on the Goblin rebellions in England. Between the Professor and the library as one source and anything Percy can find from within the Ministry and it's Archives as the other source. I feel reasonably confident that the code can be broken."
"Right you are then, we have a plan, now back to Hogwarts the lot of you," Bill said in a pitiful attempt to sound commanding.
"Hold on, - not so fast" - Ron said holding up his hands in a slow-down motion. "As absolutely delightful it might be for us to return to Hogwarts, I've just been kissed by a girl I have held a torch for the over the past three-years. You'd be daft if you think I'm going back to School while I have a chance to make this day even more memorable than it already is. We're going to have lunch together in one of those swank cafes, go for a walk, poke our heads into a few shops. We're going to make a day of it. Doing 'coupley' things. If you have a problem with that … if any of you have a problem with that, then you better expect the Hexing of your life because I'm not going to naff this opportunity up. And if we catch a bit of heat from Dumbledore and MacGonagall when we get back for breaching School rules, then I'll be the one to wear it and happily. But *WE* are going on a date, and I dare you four to try and stop us."
"You want to go out …with me?" Hermione asked genuinely amazed at being asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to let things clear-up first with this Dolohov business, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon - by the looks of things. And yeah, I know I may be rushing things - - with you still sorting out how I fit in your life, but you did mention awhile back wanting to give the more than friends thing another go …and - -" Ron said his anxious voice fading away to a mumbling whisper at the end.
"Yes Ron, I would love to go on a date with you, in fact, the more romantic the better." Hermione answered boldly
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"All-right then - Hermione and I are going to do some shopping and maybe get some ice cream," declared Ron ignoring his oldest brother order to return to Hogwarts. However, he was smart enough to notice the frown that appeared on Hermione's face - so he further added, even a bit reluctantly, to 'where' they were going shopping - before Bill or Percy could argue back at him.
"I guess we need to stop at Flourish and Blott's first …for a few reference books on Goblin language and such - and from there …who knows."
Hermione's eyebrows shot up in excitement and Harry could tell that she was having a 'conflict of interest' problem, for she was torn between the desire to lecture Ron about being safe by following Bill's orders - versus her over-eager desire to go shopping …especially for books. Fortunately, Ron made the decision for her, grabbing her by the hand and walking firmly in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron entrance into Diagon Alley.
"Ron! Ron, it's not safe!" Percy cried out to Ron and Hermione, but on hearing Percy, Ron stopped in mid-step.
"Listen Percy, nowhere is perfectly safe. Not anymore. At the moment, we are about as safe as anyone of us can be. At least for a while, and I intend to take advantage of that. Bill I need you to take the ledgers to Hogwarts and turn them over to the headmaster, he can ask Professor Binns to consult with 'Mione when we get back. Meanwhile Percy can go talk to Dad and get his permission to examine the archives.
"Look especially into the Military records; they had entire code breaking units in the Muggle War in the 1940's …so maybe the Wizard-goblin wars had something equivalent to them. Perhaps the code has already be broken and the cipher has just been lost in one of the thousand cabinet's in the Ministry Basement, - - but somehow I doubt it. It won't be a small task Percy, but it will be one I think that will be right up your alley. As for me, I'm taking my best girl for a small lark …before she buries her head in research for the next fortnight …ignoring me so as to crack the so-called unbreakable Goblin code wide open."
Bill and Percy Weasley looked at one another dumbfounded. Were they just receiving Order's from their baby brother? What was more than the fact that they were receiving Order's, they also felt an inclination to … follow them.
Leaning over to his younger brother's ear, Bill whispered. "If the Twin's ever find out about this, we'll never be able to live it down."
All Percy Weasley could do was nod with agreement as he watched Ron and Hermione Granger turn and leave the Pub.
Harry stood off to the side and watched as his two closest friends take a huge leap toward a long overdue relationship. A wave of pride and satisfaction overcame him, if anyone deserved a 'day-off' to enjoy themselves, then after everything his best mate had gone through the past few months, it was definitely him.
As if following Ron's queue to leave Ginny got up from her seat, shouting out to her older brother over the low rumbling din of the Pub's patron's. "Ron don't keep Hermione out too long in the bookshop, she and I need to spend some time over at Madam Makin's." Ginny then extended her hand towards Harry who took it without a second's hesitation. If Ron and Hermione were going to make a 'Day-of-it' then they might of as well. He and Ron could catch up later in the afternoon when both girl's were looking into formal dress gowns to wear for the Leaver's Ball." (A/N: British for Graduation Ball)
"No. It's one thing for Ron to stay out of Hogwarts for a day, he's of Age. But you Gin-Gin still have a full 3-months till your legal." Bill tried to give orders, only to be ignored
Harry tried to suppress a laugh, did Bill really think that would work on her? "As much as I love to spend time in a bookshop with those two," Harry interjected into the conversation pointing at an excited Hermione as the pair walked through the entrance/exit of the Pub. "I and your darling baby sister have more adventurous tastes then spending a free-day rummaging through book stacks. Ginny and I will catch up with them later, we have a stop to make first.
"Ginny-Luv, I believe that a quick side trip to the Quidditch Shop is possible to pull off …first - while Hermione is hunting for rare out of print reference books." Harry quickly added in a stage whisper to Ginny as he also ignored Bill's return order.
"Yes by all means, the Quidditch shop first. Bye Bill, bye Percy." Ginny said, and then she kissed both Bill and Percy on the cheek.
"Ginny, you can't leave … and Harry you should know better than to - -" Percy began.
Harry grabbed Ginny by the hand and they both swiftly walked away from Bill and Percy who stood abandoned at the back entrance of the Leaky Cauldron, - but not before hearing Bill tell Percy in exasperation. "Ah forget it, let Mum worry about them. Come on, Perce, I buy you a 'pint of bitters' before we get cracking. Our little brother- the general -may have given us marching orders, but …I for one …am going to fortify myself with a pint-or-two, before I obey them."
Once out of earshot, Ginny began to punch Harry's upper arm in excitement. "Harry … did you just hear what Bill called Ron? 'The General'. Remember that prophecy he sent us a month ago? Wasn't there a line in it referring to a General of the North of some sort? I think we may have just discovered another referencing clue to help make sense of that muck of words of his."
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Meanwhile …back at the Leaky Caldron
"Did you get to explain things to Ron" Bill inquired over a pint.
"Not yet, that's why I jumped at the chance to be on this mission, from the minute he got back, I… I think he understands better than anyone else in the family, why I did …what I did."
"Gee wheeze thanks …Percival," Bill retorted as he affectionately slapped his brother's arms.
"Fleur pursued you William, as Audrey did with me, and after something Charlie mentioned in his last letter …I'm beginning to wonder if Tania isn't the relationship aggressor with our family Dragon handler."
"We like strong willed women, Percy, it's a Weasley lovesick trait, and if you think about it, Ginny has been in hot pursuit of Potter since she was eleven." Bill replied with an amused snort.
"Exactly and that's why I'm worried. From everything I've been told by the family …Ron is obviously the one pursuing Granger; and that goes against a clearly established family courting-tradition …one that goes back fifteen generations. Ron's done things for her that goes above and beyond what a normal bloke would do for any bird …especially a Weasley - - and she …doesn't seem to notice any of it. I chased after Penelope at Hogwarts in a very similar way to what Ron is doing for Granger now - and you know how well that ended"
"Not a hen-penny to your name and discarded." Bill said his smile now gone.
Percy nodded sadly. "Exactly …I saw her acting lovey-dovey just now and Ron clearly loved it," Percy said in a worried tone. "However, Granger's behavior this morning is radically different than what Mum, Dad and the twins have repeatedly described to me".
"After years of horrible rows that they got into at the drop of a hat, the frigid old-maid style of dress that even I remember from Hogwarts, and now - all of a sudden - out of nowhere …she goes after him like a shameless seductress. That's out of character for her …isn't it?" Percy asked.
Bill unconsciously turned his head towards the door both Ron and Hermione had walked out of less than five minutes earlier. "Yes …I know what you mean, I never expected …not in a hundred years …to see Ms. Granger showing affection in public – kissing him like that …with tongue …the sight left me stunned. That … that wasn't love I saw, Perce. That was lust."
"My thoughts exactly. I know that I'm considered a stuffed shirt most of the time, Bill. But even I know how a sexually inhibited bird behaves; I see them at work all the time. Everyone in the family I talk to believes that Granger is a classic cold-fish; I've even heard that she doesn't think of Ron as her 'type'. Then she comes on to him twenty minutes ago like a slag-in-heat …it … it just doesn't sit right with me."
Bill put down his beer and folded his arms in-front of him. He knew from experience that his younger brother was building to something and he had a gut feeling that he wasn't going to like it much when he did. "Does this diatribe of yours have a point, Percy?"
"I'm afraid that Granger might-be setting him up to be dumped-cold… just like Tonks did to Charlie …in the Great Hall… with the whole school as witnesses. Nymphadora told her friends that she had to lure him in under false-colors and then dump him hard and public as the guarantied way to get lovesick Charlie who she accused of being a crazy-stalker …to leave her alone. Poor Ron loves Hermione way-more than Charlie did Tonks …and that was a hundred times stronger an attraction than I ever had for Penelope; I mean its ruddy obvious."
"So far so good, Professor Logic …lead-on," Bill said nodding glumly.
"So let's say …just for the sake of argument …that she is a sadist, just like Ginny told us that Ron had accused her of being …just before we arrived. Isn't it possible that she might have been all hot-to-trot affectionate with him today just to build up his hopes …before she pulls off a gigantically humiliating - dump in public, in order to scare him off of pursuing her …for good . Because a sadist would get-off on causing a bloke that kind of public emotional pain."
"Yeah that thought accrued to me too, pretty much as soon as I saw her straddle him. I've only met Hermione a few times, but she never struck me as a bird who would take the initiative. She is more … reserved. I was half expecting something to go south." Bill retorted.
"Generally I don't like thinking the worst of people, except Fred and George, and let's face it with their track history, who could blame me if I did? After I put my foot in it with Harry, I really learned my lesson. But I'm not wholly comfortable in the way that Hermione threw herself at him. It seemed so … out of character. And that's what has me so weary. If she ever pulls the rug from under him … if he ever finds out that she was having a 'spot-of-fun'. C'mon Bill, you know Ron as well as I do, he's probably the most sensitive Weasley there is. He takes these kind of things to heart. If Hermione ever … changes her mind. When that happens …our poor lovesick brother is going to be totally devastated, a million times worse than Charlie ever was. Think-about it Bill …Charlie's only now dating again, that's nine years of being a 'girl-shy' single."
"Ron's been semi-dumped by Granger once already Percy, although she never actually went out with him on a single date, so technically we can't claim that she has cheated on him."
"My point exactly. Semi-Dumped and he ran away to Romania. Repeatedly putting himself in life and death situations. I wish to Merlin I could share with you the Report's the Order had to submit to the Ministry in order for Ron to receive his Order of Merlin first class medal. Trust me, whatever you have been told is probably the watered down version."
Bill was now curious, but he knew that he would probably never get anything further from Percy other than what he had just been told. As annoying as his younger brother was at times, he did take his duties with the Ministry very seriously. And he would never breach an official secret, not even at the expense of his life. Instead the elder brother just continued with their round of concerns. "It's hard to believe that Granger had even dated Draco Malfoy. If Ginny, Harry and Ron hadn't substantiated it …*"
This announcement was enough for Percy to indulge himself in a coughing fit mid-swallow. Hermione's former beau was obviously news to him. "*WHAT …so he's hopelessly in love with a Malfoy hump-n-dump discard. Why in Merlin's name is he doing that?" Percy replied gob-smacked after wiping himself down. "Penny, at her absolute worse was never disloyal to me with a DE wantabe. You know how dad and mum feel about all the entire Malfoy clan and their women. Ron's must be one lovesick puppy if he's fallen for a bird that 'shagged' a Malfoy. Is that what the "Masochist- glutton for punishment" crack back in the Pub …was all about?
"No, the charge of Granger being a sadist isn't a new one, not for me anyway. Dad mentioned in passing …just the other day …that Granger once poured hot gray down Ron's trousers …on his first day back in-country in fact. But it was Granger bunking-up with Malfoy …that was the primary motivation for Ron running-off to Romania, according to Charlie"
"Details …Bill, I want details!"
"After we take the ledgers to Dumbledore, let's pop over to my flat. I have a graphic novel that will explain Ickle Ronniekins tortured love-life a-lot better than I ever could", Bill said. "But now that you reminded me of the Tonks public dump of Charlie, I can see the comparison "set-up' in Grangers behavior this morning. My question now …brother mine …is what do we do if you're correct and Ron's is enjoying his last-meal before his execution?"
"Well, right from the off …I'm praying hard that I'm wrong …that Granger is sincere in her uncharacteristically aggressive pursuit of our ickle Ronniekins".
"And if she pulls a Tonks-dump?" Bill asked as he stood to pay the check.
"Then we do all we can to pick-up the pieces," Percy said as the two brothers headed for the door. "I haven't seen Charlie face-to-face in years. I hate to think of Ron going into exile to Romania for nine years …or more …just to get over a Granger dump."
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Hermione's POV:
Ron had enjoyed a double scoop of his favorite chocolate, caramel, green magical sprinkles, and jellybean ice cream at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, after Hermione had forty-five minutes of 'uninterrupted time' browsing at Flourish and Blott's. He un-characteristically followed her around the bookstore in respectful silence, playing the role of dutiful boyfriend - by carrying the ever increasing pile of Goblin related reference books that she had picked out.
Never once complaining or pouting about the waste of time. Ron's eyes every so often, slowing roamed up and down her body, but not in a vulgar mentally-undressing way - or Hermione would have promptly hexed him. When she saw his facial expression and noticed that it wasn't lustful …it was more akin to the look of awe that an art lover has when looking upon a masterpiece. The love on Ron's face was so palpable …it humbled Hermione to see it and know that it was being directed to her and her alone. Never in any of her associations, whether it was Victor or Draco had she felt so treasured or cherished.
Hermione quickly became distracted by 'the looks' she was getting from Ron and reluctantly had to pay and leave with the only five rare and out of print books that she had time to find on the Goblin Rebellions and 'two' that Ron was hopefully unconscious of. The titles of which had faded to the point of near invisibility : 'The Mysteries behind Shape Shifter Transfigurations', and something else she was really looking forward to reading, 'The Cornerstone of Wizard into Magical Beast transformations'.
"I can't believe they didn't have more books on the ruddy Goblins," grumbled Ron softly as he carried her purchases out into Diagon Alley for his lady love. "Has Professor Binns single-handedly killed all interest in the subject?"
Hermione rolled her eyes before she retorted, "These are very interesting books and you would think so too if you read something other than Quidditch magazines."
Ron allowed her slight towards Quidditch slid, his eyes searching up and down the cobbled street. When he found nothing that was out of place or had alarmed him he leaned in to her ear. "How long have you known about…my secret?" Ron asked in a whisper.
"If you mean your transformations, not long," Hermione said blushing at being caught out. "I overheard your tutor Nickolas reporting his discovery to Professor Dumbledore a few months ago, but he didn't mention any names. However, when I found a magically enhanced oversized African Lion asleep in front of my door one night and a huge leopard the other, it wasn't hard to put two and two together.
Now it was Ron's turn to blush in embarrassment. "You didn't say anything"
"I knew you would eventually tell me about it. It mustn't have been easy for you, keeping such a big secret to yourself. Does Harry know?"
Ron shock his head. "No Luv, besides Nickolas, the Headmaster, McGonagall and a bloke from the Ministry, no-one else knows what I am …except you. And I trust you above all that-lot," Ron offered her in a soft whisper, which sent a shiver of arousal down her spine for not even Harry trusted her this much.
"You … you should tell him. Harry, I mean. If you don't and he finds out some other way, he'll be deeply hurt."
"It's not an easy thing … confessing to someone that you're a freak-of-nature. You'll probably read about it when you go through those books of yours. But my grasp on anything that is … well … 'me'… when I have transformed … well, it's not exactly solid. Everything I do is more instinct then that of reason. It's kind-of scary in the same way that it's also pretty liberating. Does … does that make any sense to you?"
Hermione dearly wished to pursue this topic further and deeper, especially when she had heard Ron refer to himself as a 'freak'. How could he think of himself as such? What he was … was astonishing. He wasn't an Animangus, he was a legitimate Shapeshifter. The rarity of what he was… was fascinating. She was about to challenge him on this but unfortunately at this point, Hermione looked over to see an almost giggling Ginny and a knowing Harry, who was having a hard time trying to keep a smile off his face, come racing up to them. Spotting them, the wayward pair picked up their pace so that they may join them as they were about to walk down to Fred and George's store.
Upon catching up with them, Ginny, offered with a broad grin. "Ron, we thought it would be wiser if you and Harry go in the back way. You know to make sure it's safe and no one is following us."
Hermione rolled her eyes, knowing that wasn't the real reason – just from the blatant look on Ginny's face and she had a good feeling Ron did too.
"I don't believe you," snorted Ron flat-out to his sister whilst at the same time he was trying to keep a book on the top of all the other books she bought from falling off.
"It's true, isn't it Harry?" Ginny quarreled.
"Ah… yeah – sure it is. Come on, Ron, we don't want anyone to see us enter your brothers' shop – it's not safe."
Ron flashed a suspicious stare at his sister - but relented at Harry's suggestion and made for the back alleyway into Fred and George's shop. As Ron and Harry walked away, Hermione turned to ask Ginny what was really going on.
"Now, why can't Ron enter through the front?"
Ginny smiled from ear to ear but she didn't answer. Instead she took Hermione by the arm and led her around to the front of Weasley Wizarding Wheezes joke shop. In the window was a giant size poster of a magical cartoon drawing of a red-hair boy that bared a close resemblance to Ron with his work pants on fire. This cartoonish character was being chased by a huge fire breathing Dragon. The title above this moving picture read, "The Misadventures of Dragonheart."
"No …they didn't," gasped Hermione at the thought of Fred and George publishing a graphic novel about Ron.
"It's brilliant!" Ginny proudly declared.
"Thank you, little sister," said Fred or maybe it was George - as 'one of the twins' stepped outside the front door to meet them.
With that a giant ball of flame erupted on the giant size poster burning it to a crisp before magically re-appearing again without so much as a burnt mark on it.
Hermione had to bite back a growl on Ron's behalf, - as before her very-eyes …played out yet another cruel-prank on the only Weasley she knew of that didn't actively prank-back his siblings. Instead she looked over at an overly proud looking George- or -maybe it was Fred with a mixture of disbelief and rapidly growing disapproval.
"You wouldn't believe the consumer response we've gotten from this. We're outselling The Adventures of Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle comic books by almost five to one. It's our most profitable item at the moment. Lee did the layout, Fred took the pictures we received from Charlie and re-graphed them to look like a Muggle graphic novel, and I translated Ron's letters into the dialog and added a background story to fill in any gaps in the plot."
"I always said you two had a death-wish," Hermione said exasperated, "exactly how do you think Ron will respond to this, the 'combat experienced warrior' - that he is now."
"Oh we can handle anything Ickle Ronniekins throws our way; there are two of us to his one …after all." Fred snorted finding the concept of Ron the warrior rather amusing.
"Can you really?" Hermione retorted with a smirk, "You're still thinking of Ron as the gullible boy who left Hogwarts three months ago. You're not taking into account all the fights he's been in since then - where the odds were often five to one. You're forgetting that he's been trained by a former member of the unspeakable hit squad. Add all that to his infamous temper and …"
Suddenly the hilarity of the situation now became lost to Ginny as her previously smiling face suddenly took on a more grim line. "You know, she's right." Declared Ginny giving George a hard smack on the arm. "Sure, 'we' might find the comic book version of his adventures in Romania funny, but you idiots don't realize how much Ron has changed since his experience in that Death Eater Camp. When he finds out what you've done to his image without his consent, he'll literally - kick your arse. That's if your lucky."
'Ron is going to go stark raving mad'. Hermione shuddered to think of what he would do when he saw what his older brothers have been doing.
"Oi, Fred, George – get back here …NOW!" screamed Ron from the back of the store causing Hermione to groan.
* Mum is at the back door
O
Intrepidly Hermione walked into the store toward the back office followed closely by a tense Ginny, and a foolishly unperturbed George, who almost seemed to relish the idea of an argument with a barking angry Ron. They didn't believe that there wouldn't be anymore than just a huge row over their hottest selling item, the graphic novel about Ron. The twins took a great deal of pride at how successful their joke shop was, and publicly mocking their baby brother had proven to be a big seller.
"What do you want …you stupid Prat." George challenged.
"What's this then?" Ron asked unperturbed as he pointed to a stack of boxes clearly marked, "The Misadventures of Dragonheart."
"The older he gets, the stupider he gets… I wouldn't think it was possible," George crowed as Fred joined the others - nodding at his twin in agreement. "It's a graphic novel, you Git, concerning the misadventures of our brother …Ickle Ronniekins in Eastern Europe.
Even Harry chuckled before Ron gave him a nasty look. One look was all it took for the Boy-Who-Lived to silence himself and surrender a gulp. "You in on this too?" he asked sounding very disappointed.
"Oh No, - not this time," Harry said firmly in denial, the last thing he wanted was to be first-mate of the Twin's Titanic. "Your loving siblings did all of this on their own. Ginny and I only found out when we passed their shop on the way to check-out Quidditch supplies. I swear to you, Ron. We had nothing to do with this."
The twins shook their heads in pity at the strangely calm Ron and turned to go back toward the front of the store to attend to customers, but Ron suddenly moved …with a blur like motion and two throwing knives abruptly appeared in the door frame mere inches to the side of each of the twin's heads, causing both boys to abruptly freeze in-place.
"Don't you dare move until I tell you, we're not done here. Not by a long shot." Ron said in a hard tone thick with malice. "You've pranked me one time too many, and now you're going to pay the piper. You Prats are about to experience a whole new level of physical pain, and when you get out of hospital …a month from now. You'll have to rebuild this ruddy shop from the ground up - for when I finished with it …no two stones will be left one atop the other.
"You're bluffing" George said careful not to make any sudden moves as he looked back and forth from the knife stuck in the doorframe to Ron, displaying genuine fear for the first time in his life. Hermione, Ginny and Harry were shocked and unnerved as well.
Ron's eyes never left his prey as he addressed his best-friend. "Harry, take the girls back to Hogwarts. Fred, George and I have some business to discuss and it won't be a pretty thing to watch," Ron said in a near whisper while going into a classic combat stance. The room was turning colder by the minute as everyone in the room realized for the first time exactly what Ron was capable of.
"You can't kill your brothers, Ron, you'll go to prison" Hermione said suddenly fearful.
"Kill?" Fred squeaked.
"I don't need to kill them …Luv – death doesn't teach anything. Unbelievable Pain on the other hand …*THAT* is a great educator." Ron sneered. "And if I do say so myself, I'm a hell of a Teacher where that particular subject is concerned."
Hermione took a moment to look for a way to defuse the situation. She looked around the twin's rather odd-looking 'office' trying to think of way to keep Fred and George physically intact. The room had two cherry oak desks on the far left that faced each another. On top of the desks were various magical items that fell apart and then either rebuilt themselves or had several pieces of odd looking bomb-shaped candy that would turn bright red then explode into a miniature mushroom cloud of smoke.
Above the desks, high on the wall sat a golden framed magical-moving portrait of Professor Dumbledore who seemed to be quietly sitting on his high chair in regarding the room in silent amusement. The right side of the office resembled a living room, including a couch that resembled the one in the Gryffindor common room. Next to the living room area was a small kitchenette with an empty cobwebbed pantry and an old disconnected ice box
It was at this moment that the portrait of Professor Dumbledore spoke up, "Perhaps I could be of assistance here by pointing out, that in this particular case, violence is not the only option. I tried to dissuade Fred and George from going forward with their comic book proposal, but I was as unsuccessful as my attempt to talk them out of it- or - their lonely-hearts …dating service advertisement prank.
"However, this time the publication of their graphic novel will work out to your financial benefit Mr. Weasley." This last sentence earned from the angrier red-head a brief moment of consideration.
"Go on." Ron growled out.
"Well, Fred and George, in spite of my repeated warnings have outright broke several copy-write laws by using almost verbatim your story as written in your private post-Letters to your sister. The illegal use of your image without your written authorization is also subject to legal redress. Under the Wizarding laws of Great Britain - such an obvious case of plagiarism is subject to considerable compensation through litigation."
"He can't sue us …we're family!" Fred said shocked. "Ron … we're your brother's."
"So? I've got three more. I won't miss two. Especially two who have caused me as much problems as you have over the years."
The Head Girl gently placed her hand on her new-boyfriend's shoulder in an effort to redirect Ron's attention away from the Twin's for a moment. "Professor Dumbledore has a point Ron, why get your hands all bloody when with the proper solicitor you could end up 'owning this shop' and every hen-penny the twins have made since they opened it," Hermione said reasonably in full agreement with the portrait.
"Stay out of this Granger," George snarled. "This is our blood, our sweat, our legacy."
"NO …I don't think I will," Hermione smirked – "Blood? Sweat? Did you even read his letter's you Prat? You took something he did … something that was profound and … courageous and made it into a comic."
"Graphic Novel!" The Twin's both shouted out in union.
"I don't care, what you call it. But if that rendering in the front window has anything to do with how you have portrayed him in your pathetic little pages. Then I think you will get everything you deserve. And if you both end up living on the street instead of being fed through a straw then you should consider yourself grateful."
Hermione then gently squeezed Ron's shoulder. "Honesty Ron, I don't want you to get all worked up and sweaty by beating into a pulp your idiotic brothers. They're really not worth it. They talk a big game, but you and I both know that they're immature and petty … quite childish, really. That's why no girl has ever been able to take them seriously. And that's why I take you *very* seriously. On your worst day, Ronald Weasley, you are ten-times the man both of these prat's are on their BEST day."
Hermione almost purred in a husky seductive tone. "Look at you, all worked up, hot and sweaty – which is fine in itself - but I want to be the cause of your labored breathing, not them."
That husky tone …slow and soft, all but dripping with sensuous promise, coming out of Hermione's mouth was what finally broke through Ron's combat stance concentration. His desire for her was his sole weakness, and she knew it - and with that knowledge she played her 'trump card' by reaching up and seductively pulling down the zipper of her jacket. After making darn- sure that her-back was fully turned away from everyone else in the room as she focused on her intended target.
Everyone in the office was so gob-smacked by Hermione blazon attempt at seduction, that they just stood-by stunned out of their minds …as the Hogwarts Head girl undid and pulled wide open her dragon hide jacket thus revealing - for the exclusive benefit of a utterly spellbound Ron, the mostly unbuttoned dress-shirt that she had 'burrowed' that morning from his dorm dresser.
Ron's eyes went wide at the sight before him and his rate of breathing increased dramatically as a suddenly very aroused young man openly stared at the soft flesh exposed by the partially opened shirt.
"Sweet Merlin …Mione, you're not wearing …"
"Underwear, yes…I know."
"Not any?" Ron squeaked
The Bookworm smiled playfully, pleased at the reaction she had inspired in her man. "No. Not any. I came to the Leaky Caldron this morning to lay claim to a new boyfriend and perhaps … maybe … the potential father of my children.
"I've read in one of Lavender's trashy magazines that this 'bold as brass' approach, to get a blokes undivided attention - - seems to work well for most blokes. It certainly has it seems for Luna with Dean, so I thought I'd give it a-go myself." Hermione said as she slowly approached the boy she fancied.
Ron found it nearly impossible to draw his eyes away from his girlfriend's chest and back to the Twin's, who were at that moment carefully eyeing the opened door next to them, doing their best to ignore the two knives that remained deeply embedded within the doorframe.
"But I'm not you type?" Ron half-heartedly …weakly protesting.
Rather than argue the point, Hermione employed a different strategy. "That's true, but then again, I haven't had all that much luck with Seekers, now have I? So I thought I'd give red-haired 'Keepers' a go, - do you know of any that might fancy a know-it-all bookworm?" Hermione all but purred as she pushed forward to the point where her shirt covered -'protruding nipples' lightly touched the front of Ron's jacket while Ron smiled and weakly nodded his head in the affirmative.
Behind them, Ginny was first to break out of the shock of Hermione's behavior long enough to elbow Fred and 'nod her head' in the direction of the door, a moment later Harry did the same thing to George. Once outside the room – the door was magically closed behind them - their exit completely unnoticed by Ron and Hermione - the four of them moved to the front of the shop.
O
OoOoOoOo
END TRANS _ for now
