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

#

'RON! Get up you lazy git' screamed Ginny.

Ron woke with a start, eyes wide with panic.

'Wha...? What is it?' he asked

My boyfriend is kissing your girlfriend that is what.' exclaimed the irate ginger banshee

'Huh?'

'Honestly, you did come from the shallow end of the gene pool, didn't you.' said Ginny

'I've not been swimming since the start of the summer, so it's not my fault.' Said Ron as he closed his eyes and turned over.

A few moments passed before the penny dropped and she turned back to his sister and said 'Who's your boyfriend? I'll kill the git.'

'There's the Ron we all know and love. Harry was kissing Hermione this morning, in front of me. Then he told me this cock and bull story about him having a fit, what did you say happened in potions?' she asked.

'Well you see, Harry owes me a life debt since I fought off all those dirty snakes and Snape, and Hermione agreed to go out with me because I single-handedly defended Harry. Ask anyone they'll tell you the same.' As Ron spoke, he looked around the dorm and saw that there was no one else there to refute his story.

'That's funny because he is under the impression that McGonagall and Dumbledore have seen the memory of the whole thing. I can't lose him to her, Ron. You have to help Me.' beseeched Ginny.

'Let me get ready, and we'll go down to breakfast, ok? I'll deal with it then.' Said Ron.

#

Everyone in the great hall kept craning their necks to try and get a good look at Harry. One second-year Ravenclaw said a little too loud 'He looks remarkably well for someone that had undiluted Bubotuber pus thrown in his face.' which caused even Harry to stop chewing his food.

Before long, the Weasley's came in and again, the silence in the hall was deafening.

Ron marched right up to Harry and said 'Oi, what's all this nonsense I'm hearing about you getting off with my girl? I mean I save your life, and this is the thanks I get, you ungrateful prick. I have got a good mind to call in the life debt you owe me.'

Harry calmly put his coffee cup back on the table and picked up a triangle of toast and said before taking a bite 'On you go then.'

'Hmm, what was that?' asked Ron

Harry finished chewing and swallowing before saying 'Call in the life debt, I don't mind. Name whatever you want. On you go.' Harry continued to eat his toast without turning round to face Ron.

'Well If you apologise then I'll leave it at that, this time.' said Ron, backtracking.

'Are you sure, mate? I mean I'm loaded, you don't want an opportunity like this to get past you. Hell, you could even ask for the shares in the Cannons I have.' goaded Harry.

'Look an apology is enough, alright?' said Ron

'Ok, I can accept that, What do you think love, is an apology acceptable this time?' Harry asked Hermione

'Well it is a big deal, but if an apology covers it this time, I'd be happy to see that.' she replied

'Alright, an apology it is then.' Said, Harry

'Ok, good.' Said Ron as she stood with his arms folded.

Harry turned around and faced Ron, unblinking, staring into the depths of the red-heads soul.

'Well' said Harry 'I'm waiting.'

'for what?' asked Ron.

Every eye in the hall was on this confrontation. The rumour mill spread like wildfire. When Harry was taken to the infirmary, stories that Ron told the night before was enough to cause everyone to believe a little of what Ron was saying.

'I'm waiting for your apology, Ronald' said Harry, his voice emotionless and menacing.

'My apology? What did I do? You're the git kissing my girlfriend, cheating on my sister and not thanking me for saving your life.'

'Nev, what happens when someone falsely calls in a life debt?' Harry asked, he penetrating stare, never leaving Ron.

'The person who is making the false claim loses their magic. Everyone knows that you would have to be a special kind of stupid even to claim such a thing.' Said Neville

'Thanks, brother' he said to Neville 'So Ron, you want to apologise now before you piss me off?' the great hall collectively gasped.

Just then, the headmaster entered the hall and witnessed the confrontation.'

'Mr Weasley, Ms Weasley may I enquire why you are confronting Mr Potter in the middle of breakfast?' he asked

'Ron and his sister are acting on flawed information, which was probably originated by Ron and Ginny believed it and now we this headmaster.' Said, Harry

'Thank you for the summing up your grace, perhaps we can move it along?'

'Certainly, Once I get my apology.'

'I've nothing to apologise for; I saved your life Potter and Hermione is mine.' Spat Ron.

'Ronald, I have never been yours, nor will I ever be yours. If fact there is more chance of you getting high grades than me than there is of me ever being with you.' exclaimed Hermione.

Ginny, knowing full well that the troll dung was about to hit the fan is Ron didn't back down, was keeping very quiet.

Harry took his eyes of Ron and stared at Ginny. The look said "you were warned"

'Ginevra Molly Weasley. On this day, the twenty-first of September 1994; I, Harry James Potter, Earl of Monmouth, do hereby lay claim to the life debt owed. As Payment You will for a period of no less than two hundred years bear no ill will in either thought, word or deed, towards Harry James Potter, Hermione Jean Granger, their heir and successors. The punishment should you fail to fulfil this debt be that you, your heirs and successors will be stripped of your magic and be judged accordingly. So I do swear.'

When Harry finished speaking a shimmering light cocooned Ginny as the life debt was enacted before a blinding flash of light sealed it.

'What did you do?' cried Ron

'Your sister owed me her life. Now she tries anything against me, Hermione or any children or grandchildren has for two hundred years, then she and any child that has her in its bloodline will lose their magic and be judged accordingly' said Harry very calmly.

'Was that necessary Your Grace?' asked Dumbledore

'Yes, it was. Now why don't you hurry along Albus before I air your dirty washing in public.' said Harry with a wink.

Dumbledore nodded and headed to the head table, leaving the warring friends to cease their hostilities.

'You see, Ronald, a life debt is not a thing to be taken lightly. I could have asked for anything and magic would have granted it to me. As it is, Ginny has nothing that I will ever want or need, so having her as an indentured servant would be a waste of her time and mine. This way, she gets to move on with her life and gets to leave Hermione and me alone. As for you until you are ready to apologise to Hermione and me, stay the hell away from us.' said Harry.

Slowly Ron turned and walked to the far end of the table and sat down. Harry took no joy from seeing his oldest friend looking so small, but when he remembered that Hermione died by his hand, it took all his will power to stop himself from ripping his ginger head from his shoulders.

#

The morning moved along at a sedate pace, eleven o'clock arrived and Harry, Hermione and Minerva headed towards the stone gargoyle, Minerva gave the password, and the sculpture stepped to the side, and the spiral staircase began to rotate.

Harry knocked on the door and Albus called 'Enter', and the door opened.

'Professor Thank you for escorting His Grace. You may go.' Albus said to Minerva

', Headmaster, Professor McGonagall and Ms Granger are here at my request. We have many things to discuss, and it is only fair that the people that I trust are with me.' replied Harry.

'Very well' conceded the headmaster.

'Firstly Albus, I need you to explain why you failed to notify The Nation that you would not be attending the meeting they had arranged?'

Albus looked at Harry with some confusion before the realisation dawned on him that he simply forgot.

'By Jove! I forgot. Your Grace, I promise I meant no offence against the Nation or yourself, please believe me.'

Harry held up his hand and said 'I received a letter from Director Ragnok, needless to say, the Nation was not happy. They were ready to cease all support on this matter, and as such, you can no longer be directly part of the discussion. Any correspondence will be through a representative that will be appointed soon. Now on to the second item, I need your help-'.

Harry was cut off by the sound of wrapping on the window.

Hermione got up and opened the window, and a European Eagle owl swooped in and presented an official-looking letter to Harry. The bird wore a lightweight pendant signifying that it was carrying state documents from The Nation. Harry thanked the bird, and it flew off without waiting.

Harry broke the seal and read the letter.

"Your Grace,

Thank you for your reply, I have relayed your wishes to my advisors, and I have to say they were appeased. We do not care to deal with Dumbledore; he is a man who thinks his opinion is better than everyone's.

With regards to your spectral visitor, I can only assume that the person they are referring to is Minerva McGonagall. While Athena is the Greek name for the Goddess of wisdom, Minerva is the Roman equivalent. If she is indeed the person that this spectral visitor means then the Nation will be glad to work with her.

We are once again on equal terms, the Nation is happy, and we once more look forward to assisting you in ending the scourge that is Tom Marvolo Riddle Jnr.

May your enemies' blood on your sword never dry and your gold ever flow.

Director Ragnok"

Harry looked up and said to Minerva 'It's you' which caused a confused look from everyone.

'Headmaster, I need your help with a medical procedure that must be done this week; in fact, Hermione I will need your assistance as well if you are up for it.'

'Of course, I am going to help you Harry' Said Hermione

'What do you require from us Your Grace?' asked Albus'

'I need someone of at least equal power to anchor my magical core during the procedure, and I require someone to anchor my soul, that is where you both come in.' Said, Harry

Dumbledore asked 'What is the nature of this procedure; it sounds perilous.'

'Well, it's funny you are the person to ask, Albus, because you could have performed this with relative ease straight after my parents died. I am of course talking about removing the Fragment of Voldemort's Soul from my scar.' Said Harry to the gasps of the three other occupants of the office.'