As always, I'm only playing with JK Rowling's toys.
All credit goes to JK Rowling, her publisher and all the other people involved in bringing her work to life.
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Severus Snape had faced many horrors in his life. His abusive father, Lord Voldemort, the temper of Albus Dumbledore, and seeing the body of the woman he loved being the chief among the multitude of experiences that he wished he could have never seen.
To see the effortless way Harry Potter not only silently and wandlessly cast magic, but cast it against him before telling him that his darkest secrets were no longer his to keep, terrified him. Snape remained where Harry had left him after delivering his threat, forgotten in the mayhem of the great hall.
Snape watched in horror as it dawned on him that, once again, he had made a colossal mistake and someone's life would be irreversibly altered because of his actions.
When Ron was found, Snape sent a message to Mr and Mrs Weasley advising them that there had been an incident involving their son and that the Aurors would be in the great hall to apprehend the culprit during breakfast the following morning.
He told Molly that due to the nature of the incident, he could not divulge the name of the perpetrator. However, if she came to the school in the morning, she could find out for herself. Molly replied, saying that she would be there because she wanted answers.
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'Honestly Professor, Harry is innocent. It was us' said the twins in unison.
'I am fully aware that His grace is innocent, but thank you for showing the courage to own up to your actions.' replied Minerva.
'Potter must have put you up to it or tricked you or something. I can't believe that you would do that to family.' bellowed Ron, his eyes never leaving the forms of Harry and Hermione as they stood embracing just inside the hall.
'We can't believe that a member of our family would say the horrific things to a girl that you've been spouting all year.' Said Fred
'If it were possible I would have kicked you out of Gryffindor and the Weasley family for the things that you've said' said George.
It was at this point; the raging Molly Weasley stormed into the hall closely followed by Arthur and Albus. Her family had been attacked, and woe betide the culprit because she would have answers.
'WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!' she screamed, causing everyone to cringe at the sound of her voice.
'Mrs Weasley' scolded Minerva 'kindly refrain from screeching in such an undignified manner, or I will have you removed from the grounds'
'My son was attacked, and I demand to know who done it.' Molly demanded
'Now Molly, the Aurors are more than capable of handling things' said Arthur
Molly turned and glared at her long-suffering husband before carrying on her ill-thought-out rant. 'THEY ARE ONLY CHILDREN, WHAT KIND OF MONSTER ATTACKS A CHILD AND LEAVE THEM FOR DEAD'
'It was us' said the twins, their confession unheard due to the over-amped vocals of fog horn Weasley.
'THERE COULD HAVE BEEN WEREWOLVES OR DEMENTORS LURKING ABOUT, WHOEVER IT WAS I HOPE THAT YOU FEEL PROUD OF YOURSELVES' Screamed Molly at no one in particular.
'MUM' hollered the twins.
Molly turned to face her son's with a start.
'It was us.' They said.
'What was you, dears' replied Molly, somewhat confused.
'It was...'
'us that...'
'Followed and attacked...'
'Innocent ikle won-won' said the twins
Arthur stood with one hand, holding his forehead. He knew his sons were troublemakers, but he also knew that every one of their attacks was justified in one way or another.
Molly simply stood blinking at her twin boys, what they had just said not registering.
'What do you mean?' she asked.
'We wanted to show him...'
'That his actions...'
'Have consequences...'
'And that his boorish attitude to Hannah in particular...'
'And girls in general...'
'Will not be tolerated' the twins said in unison.
The realisation that it was her sons that had attacked Ron slowly dawned on her; however, their reasoning for the attack made no sense to her.
'Mrs Weasley, if you'll let me explain' said Harry.
'Harry dear, you're just a boy. I'm sure that the professors will be able to explain it, but thank you for trying.' said Molly in her usual condescending tone.
Harry bristled at this thinly veiled dismissal, 'Unfortunately, Mrs Weasley, the professors won't be able to tell you about Ronald's behaviour this year. At least not all of it. How would you like me to begin? Shall I tell you about the constant jibs levelled at me because I have no parents? No? Ok well, what about his lewd comments to second-year girls who have hit puberty earlier than their classmates, or the constant stares at the third-year girls that have developed in certain areas. What about his predatory comments about Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot, two of my friends.'
Harry took his arms from around Hermione and slowly began to walk towards the Weasley Matriarch. 'Maybe I should tell you about Ronald breaking into my trunk and going through my things; I'm pretty certain that the staff here don't know about that. No, Molly, I think I will tell you about the boy I know. He is a petty, small-minded bigot with a huge chip on his shoulder. Your son is lazy, rude and petulant. He complains endlessly, has the manners of a goat and, smells like a dung heap. However, this is not the worst thing about your son not by a long shot.'
Harry stopped a few feet from Molly and said 'No, he did something by far and away worse than all the other things that I've just mentioned. His biggest crime was that he almost caused the death of a student because of his ineptitude and bullying nature; all she did was try to help him in charms, so he mocked her and, this caused her to spend the rest of the day in the girls' toilet crying her eyes out. The same toilet that the Troll incident happened in. That's right, your son almost caused the death of my girlfriend, and he's still never apologised to her for being such a prick.'
Molly stared wide-eyed at the raven-haired wizard before her in total disbelief, while the rest of the hall was silent.
'Your Grace, surely this isn't-' began Albus before Harry cut him off by holding up his hand.
'Headmaster, you are culpable because of your inaction, perhaps now would be a good time to stay quiet.'
This caused Molly to come to life 'How dare you disrespect the headmaster like this, after everything he has ever done for you, this is how you repay him? Your parents would be ashamed of you' cried, Molly.
'Don't you dare speak about my parents again, in fact, you smell like hidden motives, get the hell away from Me.' said Harry before he turned and walked back to Hermione.
'THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! YOU VINDICTIVE BITCH. MY GINNY TOLD ME ALL ABOUT YOU AND HOW YOU BETRAYED HER AND STOLE HER HARRY FROM HER. I'LL MAKE YOU REGRET EVER COMING TO THIS SCHOOL'
The blinding flash of light and the high-pitched scream caught almost everyone unawares, the young couple who were embracing in the hall did not react, nor did they move. They simply held each other as the maelstrom raged around them.
The letter that Ginny sent to her mother was enough for it to be deemed by magic as Ginny acting through another in word, thought or deed. Some in the Weasley family would later blame Harry for claiming the life debt; while those that understood magic knew that Ginny's intent in sending the letter caused her to lose her magic.
Molly rushed to her daughter; while Ron stood perfectly still, all colour draining from his face. Harry and Hermione held each other.
'It's not your fault Harry' whispered Hermione.
'Mia, I called in the life debt.' He whispered back.
'She knew the risks, and you made it very clear.' She responded, Harry, stood and silently held his love.
The great hall stood in silence, every eye was on the fallen figure of Ginny, except for Harry and Hermione.
Albus sent a Patronus message to the hospital wing, and within moments Madam Pomfrey arrived causing the now assembled crowd to part. Silently she cast a series of diagnostic charms on Ginny, measuring her vital signs before Albus conjured a stretcher for the stricken girl.
Molly looked at the healer, her eyes pleading for a hint of good news.
'She is comfortable; I need to get her to the infirmary before I know more.' said the healer before leaving.
Molly took the news like a blow to the gut; she reeled back and collapsed, wailing against the wall with Arthur rushing to her side.
Albus looked around the great hall before his eyes fell upon the couple consoling each other away from the crowd.
'Are you proud of yourself, your grace? Are you proud that your actions caused this?' the disappointment dripping from every syllable he spoke.
'My actions? How is this my fault, Albus? I have not spoken to or been in her company in weeks.' Said Harry.
'I have to disagree, Harry, you claiming the life debt in the manner in which you did is the direct cause of this. This proves that you are not mature enough to hold the position of Patriarch of House Potter, and as such, you cannot be trusted to make adult decisions. You will have to remove the ring and hand it to me as your magical guardian, for safekeeping.' demanded Albus.
Whatever remorse he felt for claiming the debt Ginny owed him evaporated as his fury began to build. Hermione looked up and saw in his eyes the same emotion that Draco saw. None.
She knew deep in her soul that he would never hurt her, but she moved to stand behind Harry because the Immovable object had just found the Irresistible force.
'I am Harry James Potter, Earl of Monmouth, and I will not be dictated to by a mere school teacher. You are not, nor have you ever been my magical guardian. I will defend my house and my rights against all who try to take them from me. This is your only warning headmaster, leave now.' Said Harry, his voice so low and full of menace that it caused Goosebumps for everyone who heard him speak.
'Or?' asked Albus in an almost playful voice.
'One of us will not leave this hall alive' said Harry, his eyes fixed on Albus.
'I am the master of this school, Harry, and you will obey me. Hand me your ring and your wand.'
Harry rolled his shoulders, each tendon and ligament cracking as he did so. The air surrounding him turned greasy and thick. Everyone, including Molly, held their breath.
Albus raised his wand hand, everyone gasped.
Harry said 'Looking for this?' and held up the headmaster's wand.
Years after the confrontation, whenever anyone was asked, they always said that the thing they remembered was the look of fear on the headmaster's face when Harry held out the wand he had somehow taken.
Albus froze, his heart racing. How could a mere fourth-year weld such magic? All through his long life, Albus Dumbledore had faced many terrors with Grindelwald being his greatest and most challenging foe. As he looked at Harry, he saw the end of all things. He stood there as an avenging angel, and nothing would stand in his way. All would bow before him if he chose to turn dark.
Hermione watched all of this unfold; Harry was reacting to a threat as only he knew how and no matter who or what the danger was, he would never back down. Hermione could feel the waves of magic pulsing off Harry. This was something that she had never experienced before. It wasn't until she saw the look of total fear on the headmasters face that she knew something was wrong.
'Harry?' she asked softly, her voice echoing in the silence. He never reacted to the sound of her voice; it wasn't until she placed her hand on his shoulder that he responded. It was as though his magic knew that she wasn't a threat and stopped flaring. Almost instantly, the greasy feeling in the air vanished.
'Mia!' he whispered, turning and taking her in his arms, revelling in the sensation of having her close to him. Everyone in the hall stood and watched the tenderness between the young couple; however, the conversation between them was unheard.
'Mia, we need to get out of here.' Whispered Harry.
'We can just head to Professor McGonagall's office; she won't mind.' Said Hermione
'No we have to get out of the school, at least for a couple of hours.' Pleaded Harry
'Ok, I have an idea, but you'll have to trust me and cause a diversion.' She explained.
Keeping hold of her hand, Harry turned and faced down the headmaster.
'You've been warned, do not cross me again.' said Harry.
'Understood, your grace. May I have my wand back?' Albus asked in as soft and unthreatening a tone as he could.
Harry's memories of searching for the Hallows, battling with Voldemort and then returning the Elder wand to the tomb of his once mentor after repairing his wand were playing in his mind. Regardless of how this timeline went, No-one should have possession of that wand, least of all a deluded old fool with severe boundary issues.
'You're not worthy of the power of this wand Albus.' Said, Harry
The audible snap echoed through the hall, closely followed by the sound of the pieces landing on the stone floor. Harry spoke just loud enough for Albus to hear 'The Hallows are no more.'
Every eye was fixed on broken wand at Harry's feet; no one noticed Dobby appear silently behind Hermione; however, everyone saw the young couple vanish from sight.