A retelling of - BuckNC - classic tale …Dragon Heart …as redone by Billybob

Edited and tweaked by Eckles71

Chapter # 54 of 70

Entitled: - Granger Meltdown

Word count in this chapter; 12,000

Billybob note: right from the off, Eckles71 and I are not DEAD. The *shotgun of life* just unloaded both barrels of *rock salt* into our butts recently and it is real hard to type on your keyboard when you can't sit down. Eckles71 has had work and major computer problems mixed with a mega-huge family event that he hosted. - - - while I … have suffered from severe health problems in the form of open-heart by-pass surgery. And how was your last month? ;-)…

Beta's Note: If I'm the Beta then I get a note. That's right, its none other than Bucknuts… I mean BuckNC. I'm pitching in to pick up the slack of these broken down old codgers. Talk about needing a nurse. Billybob is taking more pills than I ever dreamed of.

Billybob reply to Beta-note: Buck speaks more truth than he knows. However as wise as BuckNC and Eckles71 are in the tweaking of this rewrite of mine - - I *reserve the right* to decide what ends-up getting published. When I asked for beta help I sent both gentlemen the entire tale, ALL 70 chapters … pleading with them to read the entire thing so they could see those bits in this chapter that are a set-up for a pay-off in later chapters. I have tried to tie in certain themes to later events. So gentlemen please be patient with me – there is reason in my madness.

Oh BTW – I do take into account my reviewers and their advice – for they see things I might have missed. The goal here isn't to stroke my vanity – it's to make a more readable story.

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Roll film

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(Just outside of Madam Malkin's *Robes for All Occasions*)

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Granger Meltdown

Hermione Ginny and Mrs. Weasley emerged from the Dress shop laden down with all sorts of Packages and at first Ron smiled big at catching sight of his new girlfriend. Ever since his 'talk' concluded with Percy, he had found everything … better. Accepting the fact that Albus had played him like a stooge had hurt his pride – but that he was only one Weasley pawn among many made his soul feel lighter.

In years past he would have gone out of his way to deny to stranger's that he and Percy were even related. But now that he had learned that *Percy the Git* had been Albus's *chess pawn* ahead of him – this fact gave the two siblings a unique *shared experiences* and a common foe – which balanced the books between them. It was the old saying all over again *the enemy of my enemy is my friend*. Suddenly they were on the same page again and truly reconciled; which felt real-good.

Ron's smile however quickly faded when he noticed the deep frown on the Head-Girls face with the thought as to *why this might be* filling every corner of his brain. Some conclusions were unlikely, others were downright impossible. What could have happened in the last 30-minutes that would change her mood so aggressively? Then he calmly considered that this *might not* be a 'new' issue, but rather an older one. As he remembered that he hadn't yet been yelled at …for his week-long calculated act of deception in keeping Dolohov plot to kill her … a secret. It would be just like her to bring up the whole Dolohov-issue … again – and right now. After all, she had not as yet been proven to be "in the right" … now had she?

Was this what his dad went through every time him and mum were about to have a row? If it was, then he would rather have it done and over-with quickly. Fighting with Hermione recently had become as exhausting as it was pointless. Neither of them really 'won' whenever they went toe-to-toe, in fact it was usually just the opposite. Mainly because of the way the *world was arranged*, peace was never fully restored between-them … until he apologized for upsetting her. Regardless of the merits of his argument – guys are always wrong.

Besides, it wasn't like he had been intentionally dishonest with her, so what if he had kept this particular 'truth' under his Wizarding Hat. It's not like it had even amounted to much. Moreover, Dolohov was dead now, and any threat's that monster had made died with him. So what if Hermione had been none the wiser. What would have been gained if she was 'in-the-know' except make worry her unnecessarily? At least she would be able to sleep without the nightmares she suffered after the fifth year encounter with Dolohov.

Okay, if … and it was a pretty big 'if' … had things escalated … then yes, he would have been the first in line to tell her what was happening. But things didn't get that far.

More to the point, as much as she might feel as though he had wronged her with only one-week of secret's, she had still wronged him one-hundred times worse by keeping her several months of *nocturnal activities* with the King Ferret all to herself. If she wanted to make a point of 'deceptions', well, two can play at that game and he had a hell of a lot more ammunition then she did.

So once again Ron braced himself to be told off, but this time he wasn't proven wrong - - for the moment Bill, Harry Percy and himself encounter 'The Girls' ... Hermione boldly announced;

"Harry could you take my purchases back to the Head Suite and Mrs. Weasley, I'm not going back to Hogwarts right-away, I need to see my parents immediately." Hermione said in a tone that Ron recognized as her 'I'm fighting to keep my temper under control so don't you dare say anything that will make things worse'.

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Ginny's POV:

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Ginny discreetly stepped behind her mother, hoping the matriarch's s larger frame might shield her expression – that naturally wasn't all that surprised to hear this bluster coming from Hermione's mouth , not after their little *chat* in the changing rooms. Ron angled his head so he could better spy Ginny's face as she shuffled to the side, studying his sister appraisingly. Ron was more than aware of what his sisters 'guilty' expression looked like. Whatever, Hermione, was about to unload he was almost certain that it had been instigated, whether it was intentional or not, by the youngest of the Weasley Brood.

Ginny inadvertently looked at her feet as she noticed Ron's attention upon her. After such a major step-up in her brother's and House-Sister's pseudo-relationship, the absolute last thing she had wanted to do was to *permanently* jeopardize it. Especially after her threat to the Twin's on what she would do to them if they had decided to step out of line and ruin things for the pair. Besides; she had warned the twins against doing something major to Ron – *mildly* mucking with the Air-Head mind for a lark - was an entirely different matter

It was just a bit of playful teasing and Hermione was so bloody-easy to wind-up. First there was the Puff seeker Justin and now this.

It was relatively harmless side-banter between girls in a dressing room. Certainly, the banter was nothing particularly malicious or overboard cruel.

There was no denial that Ginny had set-out deliberately to scatter a few 'dark clouds' around Hermione's and Ron's 'Sunny day'. She just wanted the fun to be gained by forcing them to publicly row for a-bit, - it was early afternoon now - and their lovey-dovey affection for one another was at this point … bordering on nauseous.

That - and Ron and Hermione's mature couple behavior certainly wasn't making her and Harry budding relationship *look very good* in comparison. Harry was the bonafied Wizarding World's *Chosen One* and she was supposed to be the 'Apple' of her Mum and Dad's eye. But ever since Ron and Hermione announced to their family at lunch that they were now officially … well, a couple … Ever since *that* moment a mere hour ago … a small rash of jealousy began creeping all over the youngest Weasley flesh whenever she caught her mother in the corner of her eye looking proudly at the two Love Bird's.

It had been mildly irritating when it was happening at the joke shop. Ginny had actually found it amusing to see Ron ordered about like a hen-pecked husband. But whenever Hermione exited from behind the curtain with some new frock, whirling herself around so that she could give an ever eager Ronniekins a good eye full, the twinkle and joy in her mother's eyes as she did this … it … it rapidly became more than Ginny could bare. Especially as whenever *she* made her exit from behind the same curtain to show-off her latest choice to a *clearly bored* Harry, all she earned from her mother were eye-rolls, 'tut-tut-tuts' and questions of whether the outfits she was wearing came *less sheer* or with a longer skirt.

NO - of course not; she really didn't have any intention of being … all that catty - all she wanted to do was take the luster off the pair. Get Hermione to go all moody and yell a-bit, just enough so as to remind their Mum of Hermione's past history of verbally abusing her kindhearted Ronniekins, and then she and Harry would *come-off* looking more like the 'Perfect Couple' again. But this *just for fun* minuscule-seized prank all of a sudden … backfired on her - and in a colossal way.

She had inadvertently *wound-up* the Head Girl's fury – too much, and instead of her comments causing only a few cross words, it now looked as though she might be held responsible for the ruination of Ron's first date with Hermione. Possibly even worse … the destruction of their budding relationship!

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Ron's POV:

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With a soft tone to help dull the edge of Hermione's aggressive one, Ron, answered matter-of-factly.

"I don't know why, Hermione. Their as safe as Houses" - (An; slang expression). "I warded, double-warded, and triple-warded their place myself. Merlin himself wouldn't even be able to sneeze in their general direction without setting off a hundred different alarms at the Ministry. I mean, do you really think I would go in there - all half-arsed where the safety of your parents are concerned? There's like a dozen layers of protection over that flippin' house of yours, not that your Mum appreciates it - I'm sure."

Ron then pointed to his elder brother for support on this matter. "Just ask Bill. He was there and checked everything I did, and from his own admission as a legitimate Gringotts Curse-Breaker, he couldn't find a way into your property without setting off several booby-tap's or two-dozen different warning signals."

The eldest brother nodded before answering. "Hermione, those wards were pure rubbish less than a month ago. I was honestly shocked at how bad they were when my wife and I got there. But now? I swear to you, Hermione, I have seen some pretty elaborate ward casting's done in my day. But nothing - and I mean NOTHING, compares to the work I witnessed Ron doing yesterday. Seriously, Hermione, each spell he cast is so compact and tightly laid that you don't know where one Ward begins and another ends. It's … it's almost … beautiful. A true work of art." Bill offered in defense of his brother.

- - I'm not saying the wards haven't been improved significantly," Hermione interrupted in a grim tone. "I also know your reputation Bill in constructing wards, so I have no concerns on that score. But you don't have to *lay it on* so thick".

"Actually, Hermione, I'm not 'laying it on thick at all" Bill said as he clapped his arm around Ron's shoulder in brotherly pride. "I had Fleur with me and she said the same things. Ron's Wand-work moved so fast that I couldn't keep up with it. He chanted words in … Romani/gypsy, wasn't it?"

"Russian … as well as some Romani. But mainly Russian." Ron corrected, "It's like I told you - - it was all a-part of the bodyguard stuff I learned. The better the wards – the safer Harry will be."

"A Russian spell, - just think on that for a moment; Hermione. Spell's I have never heard recited before. And if I haven't heard them, then what do you think the chances are that your Run-of-the-Mill Death Eater has heard them? Let alone be able to counter or breach them? There was even some Gaelic mixed-in there at some point".

"That was used on my surprises, makes them all the more difficult to detect", Ron said sounding embarrassed at Bills praises.

"As you must already know; Hermione", Bill continued. "English Wizarding school children are taught spell work *strictly in Latin*. How and when he learned to put-up these three culturally very-different Ward spells and bind them, one on-top of another on-top of another on-top of another. Linking them all together … is beyond me"?

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Hermione's POV

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Hermione folded her arms in front of her. Weasley overdone sibling Loyalty can only be tolerated for so long, and this was about her parent's safety …after all. Couldn't anyone appreciate the fear and worry she was feeling? Since Ron had returned, yes, she had seen him do some pretty impressive things. But Bill's sudden *adulation* was straining believability to its extreme limit? Learning to build defensive wards took loads of time, perhaps as much as a year. Ron had been away in Romania for only three months.

Besides; Ron didn't have the … aptitude or patience … that was required to cast Ward Spell's - especially at the skill level that the elder Weasley brother was alluding too. There could only be one explanation, and to be honest, she secretly hoped that this would be the case. Because if it was, then that meant her Parents were *actually safe* behind some very competent castings

"Honestly, Bill there is no need to lie to me to try to alibi him for what he's done; we *both know* that Ronald has had 'zero' training in ward construction. You built the wards and you are trying to give Ron the credit for your work - -", Hermione said in distain.

"Hermione I don't lie to family," Bill replied sounding insulted. "Ron's skills in ward construction are some of the best I've ever seen. Superior even to mine in nearly every way. Unless he somehow underwent the eight month Unspeakable training program during his ninety days at the Dragon preserver… but that is not possible – is it? Anyroad: Somebody taught my baby brother ward construction far better than even the training I got - and for me to declare that, you must appreciate the career-suicide I've just committed by admitting in public to any of this."

The Book-worm then raised her hands in a surrendering gesture. It was clear to her that Bill had just closed ranks around Ron in order to protect him and pushing the issue further would avail her nothing. "Whatever; I have no time to argue," Hermione said dismissing Bill's reply and thus insulting the two brother's even further. "I have to get home to inspect, 'Ron's *so-called* alterations to the Ward's the Ministry put-up and also undo *the damage* done to the inside the house."

"Did one of my surprises go off?" Ron asked deeply concerned and horrified.

"What kind of surprises did you plant, inside my family-home, Ronald? I mean besides telling my Parents, - without my permission - about the War." Hermione said through gritted teeth trying hard not to yell too loud. Exactly who asked you to make major changes to the wards around my home, *or* to scare my parent's near-to-death …by giving them details of a magical conflict in which they are *literally defenseless*? It was my duty to tell my family of the danger they were in …not yours".

"You know that's a good point. - Tom has been back and running amuck for three years now – so exactly when where you going to tell your parents the Truth about the war?" Ron answered back hotly. "It appears to me that you've developed a talent over the years - concerning withholding important information from people who need it?"

Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but no response came-out. She stood there for a moment looking like a stunned carp, until she grasped at the thread of her original argument.

"Don't try and confuse the issue, Ronald. You were the one that crossed the Line yesterday – not me." Hermione was all but shouting now, her anger growing beyond measure with each passing second. "Both in keeping me in the dark about Dolohov and by *interfering* with my family."

"So two sets of rules - - eh?" Ron mumbled half to himself.

Hermione then shoved Ron hard in the chest with both her hands to emphasis her annoyance, a physical act that barely budged him an inch.

"Bloody-hell, Hermione, what was that for?" Ron said, touching the area of her assault with his hands.

"I heard what you said for one thing - and for another; being a first-rate-jerk and not asking permission before turning my *entire world* topsy-turvy." The Head Girl then blew a strand of hair off her face. "They're my parent's, Ron. Not yours!"

The former Dragon-Handler lowered his hands and placed them defiantly upon his hips. "Trust me, Hermione; I am more than aware of that small fact."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Precisely, what I said. I was not invited – as in ever - but for Harry and a few other carefully selected wizards? For these exclusionary few you have an 'Open Door Policy'."

"You're being ridiculous." Hermione puffed indignantly.

"Am I? Because I happened to have gotten a very strong indication from one of your parents … just the other day - that *I* wasn't welcome in your home." Ron answered, his head jerking towards both Harry as an unspoken backup to his incendiary words.

"That's … that's preposterous. You're imagining things," Hermione self-righteously declared.

"Maybe, I am. It wouldn't be the first time." Ron then looked again over to Harry, who at that moment looked as though he wanted to be swallowed up by the paving at his feet ... at the reminder of how Mrs. Granger treated him. "But at the end of the day – with all of this stuff combined … still doesn't change the fact that it's *too soon* after we rebuilt your wards for you to go gallivanting home. It's just not safe."

Hermione then jerked her thumb in the direction of the Curse Breaker. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought Bill just finished telling me how secure it was."

Not breaking his glare towards his diminutive opponent, Ron answered curtly. "Yeah, it is. After you walk through the front gate – - but you can't just Apperate onto your lawn anymore. You try that now and you'll run into my anti-appariation wards - and not only will you get splinched …but at least *half of your body* will get forcedly repelled to the lawn across the street".

"You have to Apperate onto the side-walk directly in front of your home and then physically walk across my Seal, in the gate of your premiere fence. Which *you'll* be able to do for the wards are already keyed to let you in. However; during all the time you've wasted to do that, you'll be a sitting duck. And I would rather not have you at risk anymore then you need to be."

"I'm of Age, Ronald. I can do what I want and if I wish to visit my parents then you have no right to try and stop me." Hermione shouted back at him, her tone suggesting that she wasn't going to change her mind or give in on this issue. "You are also wrong about not being accepted as a guest in my home, or so my father said when he wrote me this morning. – But whether you're invited or not doesn't give you the God-given right to *break-into my home* and change everything. I don't even want to imagine the kind of horror stories you ended up telling them both. They must be scared witless."

Ron averted his eyes, half looking away, half looking to the ground. He then snarled out an almost beastly growl, which took everyone surrounding him by surprise... Everyone, except for Hermione. "All I told them was we were at war. A minor fact - that you yourself failed to warn your own parents about. Nor did I tell them any Horror Stories about the conflict, your mum didn't want to hear anything out of my *clumsy* mouth, on that issue" explained Ron, grabbing Hermione's arm briefly in order to prevent her from leaving.

"I had Harry and Remus explain it all … in polite diplomatic-terms. I stayed well and truly out of it. They now know all about the Death Eaters and how *vital* you are to Harry's survival. They also know of the important research you do for the Order, and they are aware of your ongoing fight against injustice for loads of magical creatures like the werewolves and the house-elves. I'm sure they also now know – thanks to Harry … how *absolutely critical* you are to him personally … and the war effort. How your brilliance is helping everyone in needs."

A fiercely independent Hermione then tried, unsuccessfully, to yank her arm away from Ron who was just as adamantly refusing to let it go. She was too angry right now to ponder Ron's heartfelt flattery.

"I don't have the time right now - to I sort all this out properly", Hermione retorted hotly. "Because, right now; I have to rush home and try to explain to my parents my *logical reason*' for not telling them the entire raw-truth.

"Once again a great point has been brought-up … and once again a question is still unanswered! – I've already asked it once and now once again - Exactly what are your logical reasons for keeping them in totally in the dark for the last three years, I'd really like to hear that*whopper* myself," Ron growled.

Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but no response came-out. She stood there for a long-moment looking like a stunned carp, until she grasped the thread of her original argument.

"Don't try and *confuse the issue with trivialities*, Ronald. I don't have to explain anything to you!" Hermione said hotly without thinking

"No you don't …come to think on it. I know you regret your *fling with the ferret* but you never did explain how he managed to seduce you away from your two oldest friends - Harry and me - way back at the beginning of term", Ron said suddenly calm and thoughtful. "It's a *need to know* bases with you … isn't it. You can keep things back but I shouldn't. Until today anyway– when I thought things would change for the better and you'd give me the chance to be taken into your full confidence."

"Chance to get full discloser? Ron, you've had almost 4-years of *chances* to get that privilege."

"True enough and I mucked them all-up …Yeah!" Ron shouted back. "Let's all take a moment – here and now – to thank Merlin that you're such an old fashioned … traditionalist witch - and not a modern liberated woman at all … you're just the type of damsel in distress sitting on her arse … waiting to be rescued."

"What are you going on about? I don't wait until things are handed to me on a silver platter. If I want something – I work for it – earn it and bring it home." Hermione growled. "Lavender is the damsel in distress type – I'm not!"

"Smartest witch of our age – I knew you'd figure that bit out". Ron spat sarcastically knowing that Hermione's wanting something and then going out and getting it – most likely didn't apply to him

"You're trying to tell me something that I'm *not quite getting* but I'll figure it out … later", Hermione said. "For right now I have to see my parents to repair everything that's happened since you stuck your nose where it wasn't wanted!" The Head Girl said before she blew aside a strand of hair that had fallen in front of her face. "The only thing you accomplished yesterday is mess everything up."

"I didn't mess anything up and I deeply resent your implication that I don't take serious the defense of your family and their rich Manor house", Ron retorted hotly. "Odd thing about that – summer after summer my family has opened their humble home and welcomed you into their hearts. It's a pity that door doesn't swing both ways. But then again, given the … *Toff like quality* of your *tiny little* plush homestead," Ron said sarcastically, "But like I said before - the *likes of me* are far better suited to be mowing your lawn and tending your garden - front and back, - than actually sitting down and having afternoon tea with my betters."

"That's … that's simply preposterous. You're imagining things – and I am going home and speak to my parents and I'm going ALONE," Hermione sternly demanded.

On Hermione's third unsuccessful yank, Ron, gave her arm its freedom. His tone rapidly softening, the curtness of his voice being smoothed over by some sense of sorrow to a newly discovered fact.

"Look, 'Hermione, your Mum and Dad are as safe as they have ever been in their life. I would not have cocked-up something like that. Not for the people you love. And you know Harry and Lupin; they would never say anything … especially to Muggle Civilian's … about the War which would deeply upset them. And trust me, for what they were told, they are now better-off with being informed."

Ron's stance softened, as his face became more imploring. "I … I love you with all my heart, Hermione – everyone knows that. If my Mum and Dad had 'disapproved' of you being a Muggleborn …do you know what I would have done? I'd tell them to sod off and let me live my own life. Blood-purity and class distinctions are two sides of the same coin with me. All I want is a life where I can love who I want and who can love me in return."

Hermione head continued to shake in the negative, slowly at first and then picking up pace. As though the physical act was enough to dispel the conflicting social and class based belief system she was struggling with. After several painful seconds of silence, her throat began to produce words. "Ron … Don't … don't you dare make you're not being invited over to my parents' house … before this … into something … something so insanely foul. Don't-You-Dare!"

"They're my parent's, and they have the final say on who is and who is not welcomed into my home just like Molly and Arthur do at the Burrow. They *occasionally* read the Daily Prophet I bring home - and naturally Harry and Viktor are frequently in the headlines. That I know famous people in the Wizarding world naturally perked their curiosity. But which celebrities I have invited to my home pales in comparison to what you did uninvited just twenty-four hours ago. I need to sort-it out – need to see with my own eyes that their safe … I need too …"

Harry; standing nearby felt embarrassed and hurt at being a-part of Hermione's dog-and-pony show of celebrities just to impress her parents … for the whole thing reminded him painfully of the Slug-club

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Ron POV

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Ron closed his eyes and nodded in defeat. "Fine then, Hermione … go if you must. But be reasonable – please … it's not safe to go alone, let Harry and I tag along. We both don't have to go inside with you – you're mad at me …I get that. I can wait outside and provide mission-security from the outside - while you and one of your … more frequent *celebrity visitors* can help you explain things in your usual logical way. Believe me when I say – that your-Mum will be *overjoyed* to see Harry again … so soon."

The Bookworm took a disbelieving step backwards to this now unexpected and rational compromise - relived beyond words that Ron hadn't tried to force her to stay. "Ronald, I don't need Harry's … *Unspeakable trained* bodyguard following me anywhere; I'm fully capable of taking care of myself." Hermione all but hissed in a threatening way while *ignoring* Ron's jealous hint that she might have fancied Harry at some point in the past.

"Then how about this as a compromise - take Bill instead of me to guard the outside ", Ron said in a pleading tone picking-up that fact that Hermione didn't seem to object to the idea Harry going back to her home.

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Hermione's POV:

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"Why don't any of you understand," Hermione asked rhetorically. "I don't want *any* witches or wizards wandering around my family home. Death Eaters as a general rule don't regard non-magical people like my parents as any kind of threat to their ambitions", Hermione snarled. "So as long as I kept their connection to the Wizarding world …*low-key*, they remained unnoticed by the wrong sort of people".

"Which meant they were; for the most part - as safe as the countless thousands of other Muggleborn families. By interfering with the standard defenses that the Ministry put around my home, you and your family have drawn the *unwanted attention* of the DE onto my family".

"Sweet Merlin - Ron, have you only started to wonder now why you or Ginny have never been invited to my house, not even once?" Hermione said exasperated. I'm not half as thick as you are! I've thought things through … before I act. I've known for years about the ongoing blood-feud between you Weasley's and the Malfoy's and have done everything I could to insulate my family from your pureblood vendetta against each other. When the fighting comes out into the open, the Malfoy's will be *coming after you* and your family *first*. You-lot can defend your-selves … mine cannot."

The somewhat self-centered nature of Hermione long term plan of hiding her parents in plain sight left everyone who heard her *denunciation* feeling a bit cold, hurt and somewhat used. As Ron felt the full weight of what she had said sink-in to his soul unconsciously he took another step back from her. Hermione stunned by Ron's withdrawal and sensing the depressed-mood of those around her… made a half-hearted attempt at a very-rare apology.

"I feel bad about all this, really I do - I love you all so very much. You are as much family to me as my Mother and Father are. When the War starts and the battle lines are drawn, you will not be standing alone. I promise you that. I will be right by your side … Fighting with you all shoulder to shoulder. And if I am to perish I would happily do so under your Family's banner. That's how much you all mean to me. But *my* family are ill-prepared, and naive about magic. They have no concept for what is coming or how to fight back against spells and curses. They live mundane upper middle-class lives in a very mundane world."

Hermione then slowly turned back to face, a deeply hurt Ron, so that he could see the full gravity of emotions playing out upon her face. "There is a saying with Muggle's: 'Ignorance is Bliss.' And I have worked so hard these past three-years to give them a blissfully quiet life, and now … now all that hard work is … it's ruined. In fact … the more that I think on what Ron did the other day at my home …the more angry I become. I have to put my family security above the social niceties of inviting most of *you-lot* over for a cup of tea. For years now… I've needed to- - - Ron you thick witted, Prat!" Hermione now shouted …her self-control gone.

"By putting *your nose* where it didn't belong; you have ruined everything. You blindly rushed over there without thinking - and made my parents far *bigger targets* then they were just two days ago – ALL done without my *prior knowledge or consent*. I had thought that since your return you had finally begun to think things out rationally before you acted …but I was wrong about that wasn't I. - I could never tolerate any husband of mine putting my parents at such a risk *without consulting me* first - - not there is much of a chance of that ever happening. You'll never be my spouse …not after this fiasco".

"In fact, by going behind my back as you did yesterday, you're not even proving to be good material as a potential *boyfriend*," Hermione screamed louder and more angry than at any time in her life.

"After six years of bitter experiences I've come to expect Harry to act impulsively", Hermione shouted accusingly at her famous friend. "Rub a cloth in front of your nose and *off Potter goes at a run* … hell-bent into danger like a crazed bloodhound. - Remember sixth year; Harry?" Hermione said hotly - before turning her full attention onto Ron and screaming at him just as loud. "But I expected *better of you* Ron I never thought you give in to the blood-lust that Harry gets caught-up in. there are consequences for every action taken - and only a mindless *BEAST* doesn't take that into account".

As soon as the phrase slipped over her lips, she would have given up her right arm to claim that one word back. Earlier she had desperately wanted to gain from her semi-boyfriend a reaction to her diatribe, and a reaction was what she now received.

In the heat of anger - she had sought a term … a one word insult that meant; a 'Lout' or 'Brute'. And that was certainly the perspective of how she wished that concept to be conveyed. But 'Beast' also had animalistic-undertones. And Ron was still dealing with the whole concept of being regarded as *third-class-citizen* a semi-human classification of being a THING … a Shape-Shifter.

For Ron to have been so open about his thing status - to her just hours earlier, had taken a great deal of bravery and renewed sense of tentative trust - on his part. And she had assured him at the time that his dangerous *condition* did not affect the way she felt for him. And such was his faith in her … that he had taken this at her word. And now? Now, she was all but throwing that misplaced-trust back in his face. She had all-but called him an *savage … uncontrollable … brainless animal*, in a public place and in front of his entire family.

Ron's face contorted into a Mask of deep hurt and desperation, he then took a half-step forward to embrace Hermione – his expression pleading for her to forgive him for simply being what he was … A Beast …a dangerous THING. But so disgusted was the Head Girl at her own poor judgment and bad choice of words, she felt undeserving of his touch, all she wanted to do instead was flee from her self-inflicted shame.

She again shoved Ron backwards, more forceful then she had done earlier and rushed down the Alley to 'Apparate'. Not noticing as she ran - how many of the shoppers in Diagon Alley that Saturday had stopped what they were doing to eavesdrop on Hermione's over-heated rant. Her vision blurred by tears as with each foot fall taking her farther and farther from the young man whose heart she had just broken with her careless choice of vocabulary.

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Ron POV

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"Hermione!" Harry shouted in outrage at his best female friend for her scornful parting words to his best mate. He was about to take after her in pursuit when he felt a firm grasp of his upper arm, he turned to see his other best mate preventing him from taking any forward step. The expression on the red-headed male's face was of heart-break beyond description.

"Let …let her go, Harry. She knows what she's doing … she *always* knows what she's doing … she says what she means and means what she's say's." Ron then slowly turned and looked around at his small circle of family, forcing a slight ironic smile onto his face.

In Ron's point of view, he had just received *a dumping* that had put Charlie's to shame. He had heard repeatedly from his older brother's own mouth how the Hogwarts student Tonks had played him; cock-teased him into a frenzy of romantic hope, led-him-on with false visions of being together some day – then only to dump him *loud and public* in front of a filled to capacity Great Hall - - nine years ago.

After spending the last three months with Charlie Ron knew his brothers story backward and forward - - a *cautionary tale* about evil sadistic women …Charlie would say. History had now *repeated itself*, before his eyes, his best-mate and a good part of his family. For now just like his brother before him - Ron had been beautifully played.

His shoulders instantly slumped as all of the romantic self-confidence he had gained by Hermione's out of character sexiness bleed out of him like a *pin punctured* balloon. He didn't need to ask the 'L' question ever again – he had gotten his answer loud and clear. The moment she called him a 'Beast', he knew her true heart. All the brave and caring words she had supplied his ears just three-hours earlier. About him being a Shape-Shifter not mattering to her … they were all lies. All at once there was nothing in England for Ron, no future, and more importantly… no reason to refuse the Ministers most unusual proposal.

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Ginny POV

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Ginny standing off to one side; actually felt a-bit sorry for Hermione at that moment …considering the reception she was likely going to get - when she got home - from her parents. She also felt huge disappointment in Ron, - because by remaining so calm and reasonable …he ruined without making a big fuss a perfectly delicious prank …a bit-of fun designed to set-off a world class row, right in the middle of Diagon Alley. After all the effort Ginny had gone to by reminding Hermione about what Ron had done the previous day at the Granger Home, Ronniekins; the royal Git had ruined all her fun …by not fighting back.

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Harry POV

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"Hermione! You can't leave!" Harry shouted, but not willing to leave the tiny circle. He knew that it would have been all but pointless to go in pursuit. Hermione was a far better at Apperating then he was, as soon as he could get within arm's distance she would have popped to somewhere else. He just wished the afternoon, an afternoon that was mounting out to be so wonderful and memorable for his best mates, had ended better.

Percy and Bill exchanged looks where Percy cocked his as if to say to Bill *'I told you so'* over what had just happened to their brother.

Harry meanwhile was giving Ginny an intensely disgusted look …knowing full well who had *deliberately* set-back the budding relationship between his two best friends. This pranking fixation of Ginny and the twins against Ron …the only brother who never pranked back; was 'the' one characteristic that Harry most intensely disliked about his girlfriend and on 'that day' he emotionally took a step back from a full emotional commitment to her …because of it. They would talk later about this in private …about that he was sure.

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Molly's POV

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Molly also was stunned by what she had heard but understood more than anyone else her sons' rejection pain, for in her heart she had hoped that the *tragedy of Charlie* would never happen to another of her sons. And yet … that was what appeared to have happened right before her gob-smacked eyes. Not wanting to lose yet another child to exile in Eastern Europe - Molly attempted to rationalize Hermione's rash actions- with a-large dose of instant damage control.

"Poor girl must be worried sick about her family right now - and with all that's going on with random attacks on Muggle-born households …I can't fault her there", Molly said although her reason sounded *lame* even as she said it.

"Ronald …listen to me; Hermione isn't at all like Tonks, and you are no Charlie – so get that thought right out of your head," Molly said hoping to head-off a massive depression. "She was upset and spoke without thinking, I'm sure nothing she said a moment ago was *meant to stand*. You two can sort it all out at Hogwarts later tonight, as for right now, we need to get you three back to Hogwarts and report to the headmaster Hermione's unplanned side-trip"

Ron just shook his head to his mother's attempt to comfort him. "She called me a 'Beast', Mum. That's the only word that really matter's … Not the hundred she used before it … She called me … She called me a murderous Beast … a mindless animal. And that's all I'll ever be to her, I guess."

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Blue food fight

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Harry's POV:

Harry was exhausted emotionally by the time the three of them got down to the Hogwarts Great Hall for the evening meal. He had spent several fruitless hours with Professor Binns going over the ledger in Dumbledore's office …unable to get the history professor out of his *lecture mood* to answer specific questions. The need for Hermione's book-brilliance was more apparent than ever.

Ron had been no help at all; he just sat in a corner a *lifeless lump* and stared-off at a spot on the opposite wall, as if in a trance. The outward signs of his emotional destruction and indescribable despair were clear on his face – thus underscoring his inner torment.

Harry's fatigue after most of the day being wasted with the boring to tears professor Bins was only amplified - because it had been 'bad enough' over the years - having to mediate between Ron and Hermione, during one of their many classical rows. However it was ten times worse when his girlfriend, Ginny, was irrationally shouting furiously at a nearly comatose Ron in an attempt to *insult him out-of* his current zombie-like funk.

All the way down to the Great Hall Ginny had desperately attempted to switch the blame for the negative consequences of her ill-advised prevocational prank on Granger off of herself and onto the wreck of her heartbroken brother. The first *double date disaster* had been the result - in Ginny's non-stopped verbally abusive way of thinking – of Ron making - for *messing* with the Granger family defensive Wards.

The old Ron (of before Romania) would have lost his temper and fired back at Ginny's ridiculous charges, however the new Ron – the man that had returned back from the *Horrors of live wand combat* took the abuse pouring forth from his backstabbing sister without any reply - walking along-side Harry and Ginny *sighing occasionally* in resigned regret. From all outward appearances Ron was a beaten man, and Ginny seeing this …just tried even harder to provoke a fight with him.

Finally …Harry had enough, "Shut-it Ginny, Ron mistake of trying to protect 'her' was the same mistake that I would do for you and your family in a heartbeat. We may have been 'out of line' doing Hermione's job of keeping her parents *in the know* about the war. However the physical defenses the Ministry provided to the Grangers - - were pure shite, - a first year could have broken through them with no trouble. I also know *for a fact* that you're the *ruddy-bint* behind the ruining of their first date."

"Me …what did I do?" Ginny said in a *hand caught in the cookie jar* surprised tone that Harry saw threw without trouble

"Oh I don't know, she went into a changing room right next to yours, in a real happy mood, showing a little skin to tease Ron with and she was *unashamedly flirting* with him, I saw that with my own eyes. She was trying on Leaver Ball gowns for a dance five months off …a dance she was going to as Ron's date. They even snogged a few times for Merlin sake".

"But when she comes out of that dress shop, she is *downright furious* at Ron, insults him and your family and then storms' off in tears. You're behind her mood swing, I just know it - and don't you dare deny it." Harry said clearly miffed.

It was against Weasley tradition for Ginny to admit to pulling off a prank - so there was no way she's ever confess to what she had done, but the ever so tiny; *smirk of satisfaction* on her face told Harry all he needed to know. He was romantically involved with a one hundred percent Weasley prankster, someone even more evil and cruel in her pranks …than her twin brothers had been on their worst days. There was clearly a *damn good reason* the twins respected and feared the youngest Weasley.

Ginny was dangerous in her own right and wasn't the slightest bit fearful about getting in the face of her victim – even a broken Ron, attempting to use her personal version of *tough love* to break his depression. Harry suspected in his heart of hearts that Ginny was trying extra-hard to get any-kind of reaction out of Ron - to get him to yell at her over what she had done, *vent his anger* at her, make her *pay* for her crime. The problem was Ron was having *none of that* and beyond the occasional sigh of acceptance - Ginny's brother was emotionally nearly dead. - Lastly after twenty minutes of verbal abuse Ron finally spoke-up.

"You should be pleased in the knowledge that Hermione's mother hates me, Ginerva." Ron said in a near whispered monotone unmindful for the most part of the surprised looks that Harry and Ginny exchanged. "She thinks I'm a *clumsy uncultured dolt* …and today we all heard the truth pour forth from Hermione's own lips - what she really thinks of our multi-generational Weasley – Malfoy *blood feud* and the martial prospects of any bad-mannered bloke like me.

"But as much as I suffered from Mrs. Granger's wrath yesterday, I learned a few things that should give you more than one sleepless night, Ginerva. Ask Lupin or Mad-eye about it …they were there too. Mrs. Granger was pushing hard for your *current* boyfriend …to dump-you and instead 'date' her brilliant daughter. Over and over I heard with my own ears how perfect Harry and Hermione could be - *as a couple*".

"From the less then subtle hints I heard - Harry and Hermione were an *item* at one point - and could be again …thanks to you. After you put in your two Knuts today, Hermione might reconsider having *another-go* at your seeker? Seeing as Harry has been over there far more often than I have – ... you didn't know about his *clandestine visits* to the Granger homestead - did you Giniekins?"

"I didn't go over there to get a new girlfriend *nor* did I visit as often as you might think", Harry protested weakly to Ginny.

"Although Viktor Krum might have Harry beaten in the sheer number of times he's seen her topless *or* as a frequently invited overnight guest," Ron continued … ignoring or not hearing Harry's near whispered protest. "There is a backstory to Harry and Hermione relationship that you and I know nothing about: Giniekins. Mrs. Granger even as we speak - could be *advising* her brilliant child on exactly how to get Harry *away from you*. "

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Ginny POV

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Ginny suddenly switched her full attention onto Harry, with a deeply concerned look on her face. She had noticed Harry's embarrassment covering the Grangers *wards incident* and his even more guilty looking expression … wherever Ron had hinted at a possible previous relationship with Hermione ?

"And I'll tell you this too - little sister," Ron said sourly. "Harry here …didn't object to strongly to the idea of *being with* Hermione - again. Maybe cruel girlfriends who enjoy ruining their brothers relationships … is wearing a little thin on his sense of right-and wrong," a red-faced Ron snapped as he was about to enter the Great Hall.

Ginny stopped mid-step and shot Harry another deeply-insecure worried look ... for Ron hadn't been the only Weasley who had noticed that Harry had always been top priority with Hermione.

It was so ruddy-obvious to everyone … that for Hermione – Harry came first, second and third … with the big shocker of this school term - that Draco had stolen even briefly Granger away from Potter. Even Ginny had thought for the longest time that Harry and Hermione would end-up together romantically – at some point.

But for reasons known only to Merlin - Granger had hooked-up with the ferret and that mistake had provided the opening that Ginny had long dreamed of. With the Air head snogging the Ferret - - Ginny had the opportunity to become involved with Harry. Granger may have given Harry a-go a few years back like Ron suggested – but she had still muffed-it. It was Ginny's turn now for her own *grab at the brass-ring* and she wasn't going to toss it in the bin like Granger had done twice. So Ginny took a second to shake her head to clear it of her Harry insecurities before switching back over to the offensive. "I didn't ruin anything; you're the stupid clod that *stuck his nose* in Hermione's private business."

Harry walked beside the two red-heads in a state of deep contemplation - he wasn't worried about Mrs. Grangers *plans* for him, he knew who he wanted. But Ginny throwing a monkey wrench into his best mate's love life, when deep down he had always thought - that she wanted them together as much as he did – was disquieting to say the least. Harry fully accepted that he loved Ginny, but there were times when Ginny enjoyment of a sharp prank - outweighed her concern for her brother's happiness.

As annoyed as Harry was with Ginny, he certainly didn't want either his starting Keeper or his favorite chaser in the hospital wing during the next game of the season. And Ron pointing-out the possibility that Ginny might lose him as her boyfriend to the Air-Head wasn't a good way to guarantee Ron's continued good health.

"Why must boys always act like idiots?" Ginny declared with a growl as she opened the heavy doors to the Great Hall.

"Well of course I'm an idiot," Ron admitted with deeply found bitterness – "for only a complete moron would trust his only sister not to sabotage her brothers first date with the girl that he has been in love with for … oh, the hell with this shite." Ron stated to the back of a departing Ginny who marched straight to her usual spot at the mid-point of the Gryffindor table. Ron however stopped well short of his usual place – in fact … just inside the door, sitting instead beyond even the seventh years – all alone - down the table closer to the door and as far away from Ginny and Harry as he could manage.

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Harry POV

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Harry hesitated for a moment wondering who he should sit with - feeling a bit sick and tired of this sibling bickering - merely wanted to settle down to a calm evening meal without more explosions. Things where getting better between him and Ron – especially yesterday … but Harry still felt he was treading on egg shells with his best-mate and feared that he was now stuck in the middle between his sometimes evil girlfriend and his *best ever* male friend. So with some reluctance Harry instinctively moved to sit next to his girlfriend and spoke to Ginny softly in a whisper with a tone of warning she couldn't ignore;

"DROP IT Ginny – not another word to Ron tonight, you've crushed your brothers hopes – and don't try any of your lame excuses on me – What you did today was way beyond mean- and I for one will not soon forget what *you did* to the four of us".

"Harry I didn't do- -"

"- -That's a bold-face lie and deep down you know it." Harry suddenly shouted gaining everyone's instant attention. "I'm really mad at you right now – and for the sake of what we have together – I'm going to take some time off from us - cooling down before I say something you might not want to hear - so if you are wise - you will not provoke me anymore tonight".

Ginny looked at Harry horrified and began to feel very-very nervous about *the line she had crossed* that afternoon. She was use to negative reactions to her pranks and winding-up Hermione at Ron was always childishly easy and good for a few laughs. Everyone around her was taking *this minor incident* far too seriously.

It was gospel truth that Hermione never apologized for anything, she explained her reasons …yes – but she never apologized. Ron had gotten her furious at him countless times before this - and had always swallowed his pride and gotten back on speaking terms with her. To get back to the status-quo in Ginny's worried viewpoint only required a-bit of cooling-off time.

OOO

Looking around hoping to find something to cheer himself up Harry couldn't help to notice a playful twinkle in Professor's Dumbledore facial expression at the Head Table where he sat. Alarm bells instantly went off in Harry's head as he beheld the unusual expression of the headmaster being a cross of giddy and mischief at the same time. By the time Harry had finally settled down in his seat next to his girlfriend, Professor Dumbledore abruptly stood up to make the evening announcements.

"I wish to say to everyone that even though the school year has passed its midpoint it's good to see that you students have finally settled into a more straightforward approach of learning. Like I was telling Professor Sprout just yesterday, we would all be amazed at the huge growth of children's minds if they'd dare to open a *school book and read it* - from time to time."

Harry had to smirk to himself as a number of his fellow students audibly groaned about studying.

"Now, now - -" Professor Dumbledore consoled the audible moans to a silence. "There's still plenty of idle time to be wasted - reading your favorite comic book or graphic novel, and with that in mind I'm pleased to announce that our esteemed Library has received just today …twenty five copies of the Misadventures of DragonHeart a very popular and highly humorous comic book style rendition of our own Ronald Weasley's adventure in Romania." Professor Dumbledore declared to the student body and then quickly gave a small wink to a suddenly pouting Ron sitting alone at the far end of the Hall.

"However, with only a few days remaining before your next exams I can't stress to you enough the urgent-need for all of you to muster your entire mental-focus on studying. The staff and I would be greatly thrilled at such an unexpected surprise … if you do. Thank you."

Harry listened to an even louder groan from his fellow students before Professor Dumbledore sat back down into his High Chair. Immediately, as Professor Dumbledore sat down – dinner magically appeared on all the house tables for them to eat.

Harry couldn't believe what he saw next. He had to take his glasses off to re-wipe the lenses clean before trusting what he really saw. For the entire Gryffindor table was cover with various dishes of food that were all blue in color.

In fact, every house table had food that was very blueberry-ish in color - blue Sausage, blue Mash Potatoes, blue Marrowfat Peas and hot Gravy - even a blue Strawberry Trifle. Harry looked up in bewilderment toward the Head Table and was surprised to notice a softly-chuckling Professor Dumbledore happily nibbling away at a blue Treacle tart as if he were colorblind. Even the loud outraged of various students and a wide-eyed Professor Vector didn't perturbed Professor Dumbledore in the least as he continued to eat away at his tart while enjoying his *harmless prank* on the entire student body.

Harry, himself was caught off guard again when an extra thick foot long sausage was thrust into the air by a standing on her bench wickedly smiling Ginny. "Harry, wouldn't you say this looks familiar," Ginny shouted loud enough for all to hear. "I could swear that I saw with my own eyes - something of this length and girth *on you* - when you emerged from the boy's shower the other night – the bath that *I shared with you*," Ginny said proudly while paying little attention to her now highly embarrassed boyfriend, - for the focus of her comment was once again her brother.

It took only a second for Harry to realize that Ginny was on the attack again – ignoring completely his request to leave her brother alone. She was once again trying to get Ron out of his funk, a boy who showed zero interest in the food around him, for his plate was as empty as his expression.

Harry grimaced hard at his Girlfriends tough love tactic and was so furious as to be at a loss of words - as looking down the table to where Ron sat and saw that he was beyond furious. His friend's back *arched like an angry cat* – his eyes narrowed into *tiny cat-like slits* of malice, his fingernail magically extending into three-inch claws. From a few feet away Harry could see Ron fighting the urge to *Transform* - struggling to keep his anger and frustration in check - while Parvati and the rest of the Gryffindor girls were not helping matters by loudly sniggering.

Ginny ignoring the fact that her brother was struggling with his cat inner nature to attack - quickly moved the sausage back down to her plate and cut off about three inches. Then she forked again it and thrust back-up into the air for all to see - - waving the *tiny nub* of sausage in the direction of where Ron sat.

"Ron, I was wondering …is this like what yours would look like in the shower?"

The entire table now howled with laughter as a now nearly out of control Ron, shifted his hands underneath the table to conceal his cat-like claws - his entire body trembling in barely-controllable rage – as he 'visibly struggled' to force down by *sheer force-of-will* his fury and thus … to remain *Human*.

Hitting a girl …any girl, with the razor sharp claws of an oversized panther was out of the question, - hexing his only blood-sister was also a big no-no, as his mother would kill him for it, … and Ginny – of course knew this – in fact she must-be *depending heavily* on this Weasley restraint.

"I warned you" Harry snarled in an angry whisper as he did what his best mate could not. He scooped-up a handful of still warm and freakishly 'blue' Mash Potatoes and pitched it straight at a jovial Ginny's face.

Splat!

"I told you to leave Ron alone," Harry said nervously as he looked beside him to see his no longer jovial red hair girlfriend wearing blue Mash potatoes on her face and hair. It was definitely a 'clashing look' for Ginny fashion-wise …and something that Lavender was all too happy to point out. A moment later there was a flash from Colin Creevey's seat. Oh great …a moving photograph!

"You look horrible wearing blue, Ginny. Ha-ha. It's not your color," Lavender said - "it completely clashes with your hair. Ha-ha… Snort."

Parvati turned her head in obvious amusement to look at Lavender shaking with laughter. "Did you just snort?" What the two girls should've been focused on was Ginny reaching for a bowl of blue colored peas.

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Ron's POV:

All in all, Ron would have to say that Gryffindor House did well for itself during what Hogwarts a History would someday record … as the infamous *Blue food battle of the Great Hall* – this observation came from a bloke who showed surprising maturity and wisdom by staying out of it. Was it so odd a thing – that at this *pivotal juncture* of his life … for Ron to have suddenly acquired a natural aversion to *flying* hot food?

First off Ginny pelted Lavender and she naturally retaliated. Lavender's aim was off a bit so that part of the blue mashed potatoes hit Dean. Knowing *all-to-well* how Pub fights start … Ron quietly got up from his seat and moved to stand by the door … carrying the hot gravy bowl with him. The Food fight then quickly spread to each end of the Gryffindor table – and then it rapidly expanded from there - to the other three House tables.

Peeves the Poltergeist was responsible for that part as he joined in and it quickly became a House versus House fight. By then … Professor McGonagall was screaming at the top of her lungs for it to stop … Harry, Ginny, Dean were pitching *every bit of food* they could muster in the general direction of the Slytherin horde. Unfortunately, Professor McGonagall finally managed to stop everyone from further throwing of blue food … right after Ginny and Harry had managed to levitate and unload a number of pitchers of blue Pumpkin juice above the heads of the Slytherin table.

Most but not all, of the sixth and seventh year student 'snakes' were soaked to the bone, the lot-of-them …grinning like fools, having *given damage in equal measure* to what they had received.

Only two 'unscathed' females survived the food fight at the Slytherin table. One; was Daphne Greengrass who found herself 'almost completely' stain free due the bulk shield that abruptly appeared in front of her in the form of Neville Longbottom. Neville protected 'his' Daphne with his body and magic, taking hits meant for his lady - an unselfish act of devotion that *did not go unnoticed* by the young-woman in question.

The second 'mostly' stain free female snake was Pansy Parkinson - and not-due to any lack of participation on her part. Members of the Wizarding nobility rarely get the chance to misbehave like a commoner, and she enjoyed this bit-of fun to its upmost. She threw as much food as anyone else at her table - giggling in happiness the entire time. She emerged dry and free of food stains for the most-part …due solely to Gregory Goyle, who had unhesitatingly made it his business to protect the *ice queen* of Slytherin-girls. However unlike Daphne, who *showered her gratitude* on her Gryffindork knight in 'food stained' armor with loads of passionate kisses, - Pansy gave her living shield a half-arse 'thanks' before rushing back to her dorm room.

In short, it was totally brilliant evening and the only thing that could've made it any better was if Hermione or Ron had been a-part of it. The fight itself ended – *by-the-way* only because McGonagall had managed to have the food ammunition magically taken away.

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"Mr. Potter and Miss. Weasley, do you have any idea how … irresponsible, immature, and adolescent that blatant disregard for school rules that was? …Do you!" Professor McGonagall exasperated to them with a furious and stern look on her face.

"In my thirty years of teaching I have never-"

"…Professor, I'm afraid I must interrupt." Headmaster Dumbledore stated with a sorrow and pained look on his face as moved closer to speak with them.

"Albus?" Professor McGonagall said in confusion of the grim look that the Headmaster was giving Ginny.

"This food fight began due to Mr. Weasley being insulted in a series of non-stop remarks concerning his *manliness* by his prankster prone little sister – several ghosts witnessed Ginerva verbal abuse in the hallway and reported it to me. Mr. Potter was merely doing what his best friend would not. Strike-back at his sister. I have personally observed Ronald Weasley accepting Ginerva's abuse - both physical and verbal - without response over the years and have *admired* the way he upheld the Weasley tradition of not striking a woman for any reason. Miss Weasley however has used her brother's restraint to push the envelope further every year".

"I believe it is time that this young lady – to finally learn - that her Twin brothers style of humiliation humor will not be tolerated at Hogwarts anymore. One hundred points will be removed from Gryffindor and I want Miss Weasley to spend the next thirty days isolated from Mr. Potter and her brother".

Ginny of course -looked horrified at the thought of being separated from Harry, and he wasn't too happy about the thought either.

"As for Mr. Potter, for starting this food fight and leading the attack on the Slytherin table," Dumbledore continued. "You also will spend the next thirty days in total isolation from your closest friends".

"As for Ronald Weasley, although I am grateful to see for once you display of maturity in *not engaging* in the food fight, I'm disappointed 'beyond measure' that as temporary Head-Boy you took no action in stopping this disturbance. When the staff gives a student power over his or her peers - it becomes their responsibility to enforce good behavior in the dining hall. Being newly elevated to the position - I can understand your hesitation to act in the presence of the staff- *or* - in the belief that *we Professor's* would handle this situation", Albus said and mentally Ron sighed in relief.

"Yes sir, I actually thought the staff handled *this disturbance* wonderfully- -" Ron began only to be interrupted

"- - However", Dumbledore continued; "As the person I personally put in charge of a simple 'in and out' OotP task – an assignment to retrieve the ledgers and *directly* return. A project that was to be handled 'low-key' without *drawing attention* to yourself or your team, - this simple task was instead turned into a major 'Disturbance of the Peace' in Diagon alley of such magnitude that the *tale of it* appeared in tonight's Daily Prophet".

Ron stood in front of the Headmaster at first with a *deer-in-the headlights* expression on his, and as the realization of what he had done sunk-in … he quickly assumed a state of ridged military attention with a now resigned expression on his face, as if being blamed for things out of his control was just his destiny in life.

"When I give an order Mr. Weasley, I expect that order to be obeyed", Albus said sternly. "You were in command of this simple operation and allowing yourself to be distracted by *trivialities* directly threatened the safety of your primary … Mr. Potter - and for that alone - you will be punished".

"You sir will take all the Perfect patrols from dusk to midnight for the next thirty days – during the daylight hours when not in class, Quidditch practice or attending to your – *temporary Head-boy duties* - you are to be confined you the 'lion's den' quarters in the east tower. –You like your friends - shall also have no-contact in any form with your sister, Mr. Potter *or* the Head-Girl for the next thirty days – is that understood".

"By your command; Headmaster," Ron replied actually feeling somewhat grateful for the exile from Ginny. A month in solitude was just what the doctor ordered for a bloke who desperately needed to straighten out his misplaced loyalties. Going back to Romania after graduation … now seemed an all but absolute certainty.

"Yes, indeed, for the sake of student discipline alone - I command that the Gryffindor four be separated for a solid month." Dumbledore declared overly loud so that the entire Great Hall could hear. "With great-power comes great-responsibly Mr. Weasley. It is time for you in particular to step-up to the *role* you were trained for. Perhaps if we separate you from the personal distractions that have plagued you since your return - you may *still achieve* your full *potential* … as I see it".

Hearing this Ron through back to his conversation with Percy and his *Weasley Stooge* theory concerning their family.

'Ok, so Albus was putting me on a short leash that much is crystal clear'. Ron thought to him-self as a *wicked-idea* suddenly accrued to him. 'I'm still his puppet - still a chess-piece, - but perhaps it was time to switch who controls this particular *Weasley pawn*.

"As for the primary trouble maker today, your sister," The Headmaster declared loudly – "Ginerva's overall behavior might improve with isolation," The headmaster said in a tone that reached all the way across the Great Hall to the Slytherin table.

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BuckNC: Author's Notes:

"Always make the audience suffer as much as possible." Alfred Hitchcock.

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End Trans –for now