Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling and make no money from the writing of this fanfiction. Only the original characters and this particular plot line are mine. Everything else belongs to JK Rowling

Chapter Twenty Seven

Soon after everyone was seated in the dining room, house elves began serving dinner. Hermione was still uncomfortable with the apparent slavery of the little elves, but had learned since Hogwarts that they needed the stability of a bond with a family to live.

"Miss Granger, I believe my son told you I had names to pass on to you of Mind Healers I knew?"

"Yes, Lady Malfoy, he did. I was admittedly surprised to learn you had used the services of one, however, when your son explained that the reason was due to Tom Riddle staying in your home, I understood why."

"Yes, horrible time that was. Regardless, I have those names for you here. I hope you're able to find someone from that list you feel comfortable with; if not, I'm sure one of them could recommend someone. The third name on that list specializes in cases that involve Healing those who have been abused, in whatever form."

"Miss Granger," Lucius began, "I wanted to also apologize to you. The way I allowed you to be treated in my home during the war, despite who you are friends with or your blood status was inexcusable. No, you had not been invited here, and no, you were not here willingly, however, you were under my roof, ostensibly under my protection because of that, and I not only was calling for Tom Riddle to be summoned here, I stood by and allowed Bellatrix LeStrange to torture you. I can only ask your forgiveness for that."

"Lord Malfoy, as you said, it was during the war. As such, I think your actions were taken, shall we say, under duress because of the simple fact of Riddle staying in your home. You would have felt as though you had no choice; not only because of the Mark, but because of the fact Bellatrix LeStrange was also here, and would more than likely reported to Riddle anything that happened in his absence. I will accept your apology; however, I will wait on the forgiveness until I have worked through what happened enough that I can stop having nightmares about it."

"That is an acceptable compromise, Miss Granger, thank you."

"Have you thought about what you want to say at the sentencing, Miss Granger?" Narcissa asked.

"Actually I have. I've thought back over all of the behavior Ron has shown since we met on the Hogwarts Express. Some of it has been good, but a lot of it has been behavior that has been horrible. Behavior like that doesn't happen overnight, it has to be learned. Only in very few instances can it be attributed to something inherent to the person, for example, a person who was easy going and likable suddenly displaying severe anger after a head injury, because the head injury lowered the person's impulse control. But since I'm not a Healer, I can't say that's what is wrong with Ron with any certainty."

"So you wish to see if Mr. Weasley is able to unlearn those behaviors? Miss Granger, while I find your sentiment admirable, such a thing would not be possible unless Mr. Weasley desires that change himself. I can't see that happening, given his past."

"Lady Malfoy, ordinarily I would agree with you. However, with Ronald, I plan to speak to Madam Bones about a motivational idea to make sure he will at least comply with the letter of my suggestion, if not the spirit."

Seeing where Hermione's train of thought was leading, a small, vindictive smile graced Narcissa's features.

OoOoOoO

Harry and Ginny stepped from the Floo into the Burrow, brushing soot from their travelling cloaks. Molly immediately bustled into the living room to greet them both with a hug.

"I'm so glad you could make it. Dinner is almost ready, and we need to discuss Ronald and his situation. None of us know what to expect now, Harry, so I was hoping you could explain what could happen now?"

"Molly, I'm not involved in Ron's case; being his brother in law, it could be seen as a conflict of interest. The most I can do is tell you what someone else who had been convicted of some of what Ron has would have been sentenced with, but that's all."

"So what can Ron expect, Harry?" Arthur asked, forestalling Molly, who looked ready to interject.

"Best case scenario, he gets sentenced to house arrest with a magic suppressing device. Though how long that would be, I don't know. The length of time is decided on a case by case basis. Worst case, he could get between two and five years in Azkaban per charge; again, case by case basis, so the time could be served concurrently, meaning the time for all of the charges being served all at once, or consecutively, meaning the time for each charge would be served per charge, so if he got five years per charge, he would be in Azkaban twenty five years if served consecutively. Keep in mind, I'm an Auror, not a solicitor, so I don't know what could be decided."

"Excuse me a moment, I need to check on a Pepper Up I'm brewing," Molly said, leaving the room.

"You'll have to excuse Molly, Harry; ever since this trouble with Ron started, she's been brewing more often. Says she can calm down from dwelling on Ron when brewing, so I never bother her."

"Well, when Mum comes back, Harry and I have to tell everyone something as well. How long should it be before she comes back?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, it shouldn't be long. It only takes her a minute or two to stir the potion or add an ingredient."

A few minutes later, Molly reentered the living room, wiping her hands on a towel.

"Sorry that took longer than expected. I needed to send the Pepper Up to the person who asked me to brew it. Poor dear is feeling too sick to brew it herself, so she asked me to do it for her."

"Molly, now that you're back, Harry and Ginny said they have something to tell us. What is it, Ginny?" Arthur asked.

"Before we say, I'm starving. And we really would like to tell everyone at once," Ginny replied.

"Well of course. Come in to the dining table, everyone. Dinner is ready."

Harry glanced at his wife and with a look, knew she was waiting until after dinner. The only question would be whether or not Molly would wait that long before asking questions. Halfway through dinner, Harry knew he was right.

"So what's this news you wanted to tell us, Ginny? And why wait until everyone was here?" Molly asked.

"To answer the second question first, to avoid being bombarded by owls tomorrow when the family members who weren't here heard from you and dad. Mum, do you have any of the knitting patterns here from when we were little? I need to brush up on my skill."

"Why would you want those patterns, Ginny? Those patterns were all for…Ginny, is there a reason you're asking me for my baby patterns?"

"Harry and I found out while Hermione was in St. Mungo's. We're going to have a baby, Mum!"

"Oh, Ginny, I'm so happy for you! Do you know when you're due? Oh, I have to get started on blankets and nappy covers and booties…" Molly began to babble.

"Molly, calm down. I'm fairly certain she isn't having the baby tomorrow. You'll have plenty of time to make all of the baby items you want to make," Arthur said, smiling. Standing, he rounded the table to clap Harry on the back.

"Congratulations, you two. I'm sure you'll be fine parents. Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?"

"Well, we haven't really talked about it yet. I know Ginny has already begun her list of names for both boys and girls. I'm also making sure she doesn't overdo right now."

"Well this is wonderful news. Hopefully your brother won't be sent to Azkaban so he can get to know his new niece or nephew," Molly said, beaming.

"Mum, even if Ron isn't sent to Azkaban, unless he changes the way he behaves and learns to control his temper, I can't say I would be comfortable with him being around the baby once he or she is born. He did a lot of things to hurt Hermione, and I don't think I can trust him to not lose his temper and hurt the baby."

"I have to agree with Ginny on this, Molly. I won't trust Ron around my child unless there are changes to the way he behaves," Harry agreed.

"Well that's nonsense, you two. Ronald would be staying here if he doesn't go to Azkaban of course, so he would be here when Arthur and I saw our grandchild."

"Molly, you're assuming that the baby would be brought to the Burrow for visits while Ron was under house arrest here, should that be his sentence. No. If Ron gets house arrest and comes to the Burrow, you would still be able to see the baby, however, you would need to come to Grimmauld Place to do so. I refuse to allow someone who has a proven history of violence around my wife or child. Do I make myself clear?"

Everyone at the table could hear the hard edge to Harry's voice. With the exception of Molly, everyone's face went pale; Molly's face went deep red with rage.

"Now you listen to me, Harry Potter…" Molly began, only for Harry to cut her off.

"No, Molly, you listen for once! Ron has been mistreating Hermione since the day they met. He started out with insults, did his damnedest to keep me from talking to her several times in school, left both of us during the Horcrux hunt near the end of the war, acted as though his was the only opinion that should matter even after she graduated, despite her telling him repeatedly she wanted to work in the Ministry a few years before getting married and starting a family, and as Ginny and I both witnessed at least once, when he didn't like what he was hearing from her after we all left school, he got violent after losing his temper and hit Hermione. Whether or not you want to believe it, Ron has hit her. I've fucking seen the Merlin-damned bruises. Ginny may be your daughter, but she is also my wife. The child she's carrying may be your grandchild, but he or she is also my son or daughter. And if you think you are just going to raise your voice, run roughshod over me and everyone else in order to get your way as you usually do, then you might want to think again. Ginny and the baby are my family, and I will bar anyone I determine to be dangerous from coming close to them. And that includes people who want to force me to allow someone who can be violent anywhere near them," Harry not-quite-growled, his voice low, before glancing over at his wife, who sat at the table shaking with unshed tears.

"Ginny, sweetheart, get your cloak, and I'll take you home. I won't have you upset by one of your mother's tirades. Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Percy, George, we'll send you an owl when Ginny feels up to a visitor, okay? We can discuss what we find out from Ginny's obstetric Healer."

Harry guided Ginny over to the Floo before looking back one last time at Molly.

"Molly, I'll say this once, and once only: having seen the way you lose your temper in the past when things don't go the way you think they should, much like Ron, I suggest you look into seeing either a counselor or a Mind healer to work on your anger issues, because until you do, I'll be damned if I allow you near my family again."

With those parting words, Harry and Ginny stepped into the Floo and spun away.