Ron's Downfall – A Twist At The End

"Have you got a day off tomorrow?" asked Jim Smith, Harry's new driver.

"Yeah… Me and Nyssa are planning to go to Brendam Docks" Harry replied as he shovelled coal into the firebox of Percy as they shunted trucks around Knapford yard.

"Not now… Just talking to the signaller and he's got advanced notice for special movements around the island"

"What for?"

"QE2"

"The liner? What is she doing coming here?" Harry paused to look back at the driver.

"Some kind of engine trouble from what I hear. She's going to limp into here and go for repairs at Lucky's yard. We're to take her passengers from the docks straight through to Barrow where the other lot have got a load of special trains on to get them to London"

"Where are we getting the coaches from?" asked Harry, turning back to his task.

"Search me, but the old man wants things to go as smoothly as possible" Smith said.

"I bet the Unions are going to love this" Harry said wryly as he put more coal in and then finished his work for the time being.

"Oh, aye…! Still, a bit of overtime plus a bonus isn't going to cause too many issues with them" Smith replied. "Have we got the signal to go?"

"No – want me to speak to the shuntie?"

"Give it another minute and then see him" the driver replied. "Now what the heck are we going to do about this?"

#

"I don't think that the driver likes me very much" said Percy as Harry set about cleaning his tools using a bit of steam from one of Percy's pipes.

"Oh?" Harry asked quietly as he worked.

"He called me a few very rude words and said I wasn't pulling my weight" the engine replied.

"He's grumpy at having to work tomorrow"

"Because he wanted to rest?"

"Yes, but so was I. I was looking forward to going to the docks, borrowing a boat and going fishing" Harry said.

"Thomas is good at fishing" Percy said with a laugh. "Do you think you might be on me tomorrow?"

"It depends on what my job is. I might end up on a shunting turn giving how little I've done in firing"

"Well I like it when you fire me" the green tank engine said. "You always take the time to talk to us and ask how we are. Some drivers and firemen are really unkind to us engines"

"That's just their way" Harry shrugged. "Anyway, lets get these trucks put back and then you can go off to the sheds for a rest"

"No he can't" Smith said as he climbed into the footplate. "We're to load up with coal and join a freight for the other railway as far as Barrow and then light engine down to Carnforth"

"Ah" said Harry, "There might be a problem for that"

"What?"

"I don't sign for that" Harry replied. "And, to come think of it, I have never even been that way on a learning turn"

"Its only a bit of firing, Harry"

"I know, but I really shouldn't do a route I have no idea of" the wizard told him.

"Look" Smith said, getting crosser and crosser, "I'm the driver and I am telling you to do the firing"

"If Harry doesn't know how to fire that bit of track, its not safe for him to try" Percy interjected.

"Be silent!" Smith told the engine.

"Look, I'm going to go and talk to the booking on clerk and see what can be done" Harry rested his tools against the side of the cab and climbed down.

#

"… the passengers should be ready" Harry caught the back end of a discussion as he walked into the signing on point and asked to speak to the shed master.

"He's busy" said the clerk, "Can I help?"

"I've been asked to fire for a journey I have never done before"

"What route?"

"Barrow to Carnforth – it's a special. We're to join a freight as far as Barrow and go light down"

"I see" Harry watched as the clerk picked up a clipboard and looked at the list of names. "You are the only one to spare" he said at last.

"Well in that case, I'm not firing. Not only is it wrong to ask me, but also dangerous and against the regs"

"You will"

"I'm not… You better get the chargehand and the shed master here because I'm sure as hell not going against the rules" Harry went to sit on one of the lino covered stools and folded his arms as if to wait. After a few minutes, they came out and spoke to Harry. "I'd be willing to do the overtime, but not when I have never done the route before - I sign as far as Barrow and not beyond" he told the pair.

"This is a bit of an emergency" the shed master told him. "We're borrowing some coaching stock from the West Coast Railway Company, and we need to get them to the docks before the QE2 gets here"

"If we wrote you out a note saying we accept your position and absolve you of any blame that may arise, would you take it?" asked the chargehand.

"No" Harry replied.

"You realise you could be suspended?"

"I do, but I'm not crewing an engine that I don't know the route its taking" Harry shrugged. "I'm owed three days off as it is – this will make it four. As it is, I have a driver who is disrespecting both me and the engine – poor Percy was in tears when I hopped down"

"Alright" the shed master said after a few moments of thinking. "If I get a firing inspector to ride on the footplate with you, will you be willing to fire the light engine down to Carnforth and then bring the stock back?"

"Yes" said Harry, "But not with Jim Smith… One of us is going to get hurt if we're crewing together"

"Right, I'll see if we can get the relief driver out to fire" the chargehand said.

"Sure… Look, I don't want to be a bother, but if something happened I would get it in the earhole over it" Harry shook his head and shrugged. "And I'm going to be damned late getting home"

"How long have you been working for this week?" the shed master peered at Harry in thought.

"In total? About seventy hours"

"Forget it… Finish here and we'll get you home on the semi fast – I'll get control to put in an SSO at Tidmouth sheds for you. I didn't realise that you were worked so hard"

"Yeah, a lot of guys have been calling in sick or something… Its happened since I reported Jack Bosworth for taking lumps of coal for his fireplace off Henry's tender" Harry said, yawning as he did so.

"Have they?" the shed master grew red in the face and looked sharply at the chargehand. "Get a list of all those that have called in sick and speak to them. You can leave off Sandy Wilson because he's in hospital with blood poisoning and Brook Newman is recovering after his latest round of Chemo"

"Joe Kellogg's wife was rushed to hospital after getting hit by a car" Harry said. "That's who I was covering for today"

"Well apart from them lot, get talking to the others and see where they stand – for real this time" the shed master turned to look back at Harry. "Get yourself sorted, I'll arrange for you to be sent back on the cushions and you can forget about coming in tomorrow… I'll take this up with the old man if I have to"

#

"I thought you were late" Nyssa said as Harry stepped tiredly into the house and almost collapsed into his favoured armchair. He explained what he could which left the girl shaking her head in astonishment of people taking advantage of Harry's good nature. "Well" she said as she curled into him and kissed him softly, "What do you say to a dinner and a drink?"

"I'd tell it to get into my belly" Harry muttered.

"If I put cream on my boobs, you can have me for afters"

"Nys, I'm too tired to do much then eat and sleep"

"Well after dinner, howabout you lie on your bed and I give you a back massage? I've been practicing it on one of those training dummies. Not saying anything will happen, but it will relax you enough to sleep and get the knots out of your back" the teen held him carefully. "It has to be better then one of those potions"

"From a mental point of view, I suppose so… Let me get out of this stuff and I'll be down to eat" Harry said.

"Why bother…? The food is in one of your magic cooking pots and the sofa is as much as good a place as the bed" Nyssa rose and took off her school blazer and rolled up the sleeves of her uniform shirt. Harry had just enough time before he was grabbed by the arm and tossed over to the sofa where Nyssa started taking off his shirt and loosening the belt on his trousers – within a minute and a half, the fifteen year old had Harry clad only in his boxers and laying face down on the sofa.

"Just the massage" Harry protested weakly.

"Oh" Nyssa grinned unseen as she reached into her pocket for a bottle of oil "Who knows what might happen…?" and started. She got to finishing his back when the teen realised he'd nodded off to sleep and she sighed and tidied up. With Harry entering the election for the post of Minister and his normal day job, he sometimes came home tired and worn out. It wasn't as if she appreciated what he was doing for her, she'd always be grateful for his saving her from her father, but she did wish they had a bit more time together.

#

"Last chance to back out" said Hermione.

"Mione, I have to do this for Nyssa and others who can not defend themselves"

"Openly calling for Ron's head on a plate…?"

"I said a platter, actually" Harry smiled sadly. "The evidence is all there in the report, the tests for poison are conclusive and then there is the final nail in the coffin… No, he has to be stopped"

"He'll have the backing of some Aurors, pretty much all his family and people who think of him as a war hero"

"War coward" Harry spat bitterly. He folded up his papers into his leather briefcase before leaning back into his chair and sighing deeply.

"Tea?" Nyssa asked. She came into the office at the Ministry that, as a member of the Wizengamot, Harry had been given. Because he'd been unable to find staff who would work for him, he'd co-opted Nyssa to do his errands, Hermione had taken the position of legal adviser and he'd spoken to Luna about doing the paperwork and filing – the argument there being she'd find juicy topics for the Quibbler. "How long do we have left?" she asked as she served them tea from a silver service the teen had found lying in a box in Harry's vault.

"Twenty minutes" Hermione sipped her tea.

"Can I come in?" Nyssa asked.

"No" Hermione shook her head.

"Why not?" Harry shrugged. "People here know already you work for me, are under my protection… Hell, Susan knows what we did with that inflatable coconut – they'll have more important things to do with their time. You will have to follow a couple of rules, Nys, but you should be alright with sitting in a session. Susan has fixed it so the Aurors in the chamber are loyal to her and won't take coin from anybody wanting to try anything. I'm going to have to talk a little about what happened to you, but there is nothing I can do about it"

"I figured that would be the case, so I don't blame you…" the teen replied.

"This is going to cause trouble" Hermione sipped her tea quickly.

"Since when has that ever stopped us?"

"We were younger and less wise" Hermione snorted at Harry's question. "I sometimes miss the old days"

"Teachers trying to kill you, cursed broomsticks, rats living in your dorm room… Anyway, if anybody asks you a question, answer it bluntly and be to the point – we are not here to play games"

"Whats going to happen?" Nyssa asked.

"Harry is going to present his case to the Wizengamot and call for the immediate trial of Ron Weasley and the stripping of his honours and awards" Hermione answered.

"So why not be in there already?"

"Because" Hermione sighed as Harry stood and put on his heavy cloak, sword and daggers, "Harry likes to make an entrance when he speaks"

#

"… so if there is no other business" the Chief Witch was about to add more when the doors to the chamber swung open heavily and Harry, Hermione and Nyssa walked in with a platoon of Aurors guards – Susan leading them.

"What is the meaning of this, Mr Potter?" a dumpy witch asked.

"My name is Lord Potter, Pansy, and don't you forget it… As for why I am here, you will find out soon enough. This chamber has not seen my appearance for some time but it does now for I come at a time when there is serious accusations and crimes to be dealt with" Harry gestured with his hand and a table rose from the centre – much to the surprise of most people.

"What do you speak of?" asked a much older wizard then most in the room.

"An accusation of cowardice, of murder, of helping to plan a rape and of poison… Oh, and attempting to hijack and more or less take over a line" Harry put his briefcase on the table and the Aurors formed up behind him as the Hermione and Nyssa sat down.

"I trust you have evidence?" asked the wizard.

"More evidence than what is normally seen here" Harry replied. "Of course, you would know all about that, Mr Malfoy" and a couple of people muttered at Harry's disrespect. "What I am here for is to discuss all the charges and ask for his awards and honours to be removed"

"Who?" asked Pansy Parkinson.

"Ron Weasley… I name him as a coward and murderer" Harry said flatly. "During the Death Eaters had taken over, myself, Hermione and him were hunting around for clues as to where the Horcruxes where. At one point, after reminding me my parents were dead, Ron left for a long period and stayed with his brother on the coast. After the fighting was all over, he lied to investigators and ended up with honours, money, an Order of the Merlin and a small title he did not deserve. I kept quiet because he was supposed to be my friend, but he was the cause of my going to live with muggles"

"We shall investigate this claim, however, you also said he was a murderer" said the wizard who had spoken before.

"I work for a muggle company, though I don't need to, and am told I am great at the job. A few weeks ago, the man I was working with suddenly died after eating a meal. I examined the remains and discovered a poison. I informed Madam Bones and she was able to carry out tests on the body and confirmed my findings. The poison is only able to be got by myself, Hermione, Susan and Ron Weasley – not even Goblins can find it and get it"

"What poison?"

"Basilisk" Harry tapped his briefcase with a single finger and files zipped out to each of the members. "I submit that Weasley got hold of some of the poison and used it to lace the food in an attempt to frame and discredit me. As for the other and most serious charge, when a person under my protection was raped, I thought I had picked up the magical signature of those involved, but examination of all the evidence suggested there was one more. At my request, this information was kept secret from every body – even the victim" Harry paused and looked over his left shoulder. "Put the wand down, Zabini, or I will put you down" and he was about to start talking again when he looked back at the offending person. "And the other one" he added. "To continue… If you look at the documents before you, you will notice witness statements from Aurors confirming Ron Weasley was missing from his place of duty on three separate occasions for nearly an hour each time. The first time this happened, his tracking charm indicates a visit to Hogwarts. Madam Bones has already confirmed that the Headmistress there did not know of his visit at any stage, and that the wards had been, for want of a better term, suspended in their ability to log him"

"I doubt Weasley was doing this on his own" said Pansy.

"I agree with you, strange as it may seem, but then again… You were one of the people helping him" Harry folded his arms and perched on the edge of the table. "It took me a while to figure out how this all started, but then I found out Weasley had got a place on your protection detail whenever you attended these sessions. That in itself is not proof, but then the second and third traces put him at your home – in your bedroom, to be exact… It was easy enough to find out from your House Elves that he was a frequent visitor along with a number of the children of Death Eaters who are either dead or sitting in Azkaban. Members of the Wizengamot, I submit to you that Miss Parkinson was using money and sexual favours to convince Ron Weasley to help them in their plans to discredit me. Their reward to him would be some of my family's funds as well as Hermione" Harry turned to look back at Susan. "If you don't take his wand away, I'll take his hand off" and Susan glanced at an Auror who moved in and took both of Blaise Zabini's wands. "Lords and Ladies, I have much more evidence supplied to me by the DMLE and the Goblins – I move that we try the persons now"

"Send for Ron Weasley!" somebody shouted.

"No need" Harry smirked and gestured with his finger at the part of the room nearest Pansy. "Ronald Weasley, I name you an enemy of the Potter Family. I challenge you to a duel"

"I accept!" an invisibility cloak fluttered as it came off the redhead. "I shall enjoy killing you… Who is your second?" he demanded.

"Me" Nyssa rose from her seat and drew the sword of Gryffindor from its scabbard. "I am not a member of this group and neither am I even magical… What I am, though, is a friend of Harry Potter – I will stand by my friend"

"You are no match for a wizard" the elderly wizard said.

"Yeah…? Well it took three wizards to subdue a helpless muggle girl like me, so what does that show you? Now, are you going to get on with this or are we going to have to arm wrestle?" Nyssa swung the blade gently so that the blade rested on her shoulder.

"What are the terms of the duel?" asked Susan. As head of the DMLE, all duels fell under her perview.

"Until either one of us is knocked out" said Harry, "Or until he admits what he has done and surrenders"

"You do realise that, with your power level, you could kill him" Susan told him.

"Your objection is noted" Harry removed his great cloak and draped it over the chair. "Shall we dance, Mr Weasley?"

#

"What does that boy think he is doing?" demanded Molly Weasley. A new law, put into place after the Battle of Hogwarts, provided for members of the public to listen in to a number of debates. Molly had been listening to a debate about how they should put more limits on how they interacted with Muggles and the possibility of controlling them when Harry had interrupted the proceedings. She listened in rising anger as Harry laid out all of his evidence – her anger rising even more when he accused her youngest son of murder, rape, theft, line theft and much more. She shot to her feet when Harry's challenge to Ron was accepted and the pair began to duel. The woman heard every sound from the duel, heard how Harry stepped aside every spell fired at him by her son, heard Harry taunting Ron as he occasionally returned fire. She was going for the floo to stop Harry herself when she heard a sickening thud from the wireless set…

#

"Is that the best you can do, Ickle Ronniekins?" Harry laughed as he spun on his heel and out of the way of a badly aimed hex. "Where is the big bad Auror? Where is the hero of the Battle of Hogwarts? All I see is a pitiful fool and a wastrel…"

"Finish him" Nyssa said.

"Bitch!" Ron brought out a second wand and aimed it at Nyssa. "Avada Kedavra" and the sickly green spell flew towards her. Harry very calmly stepped in front of it and took the full force – dropping to the ground and didn't move.

"You bastard!" Nyssa held the sword tightly with both hands, and, with a mighty scream of rage, charged forward and slammed the sword straight through Ron's stomach.

"You… You killed me…" Ron whispered as he dropped to the floor. Aurors surrounded Nyssa and looked as if they would take her into custody until stopped by Susan. They were reminded that she was Harry's second and was obligated to help her principal.

"Check Weasley… Is he alive?" she ordered. A pair of Aurors bent and waved their wands in complicated patterns.

"Barely" one of them said.

"Take him to St Mungos and put him in the maximum security ward for treatment"

"Is Harry going to be alright?" sobbed Nyssa.

"Its happened to him twice before, so he should be alright after a while" Hermione said. "Susan, do you plan to charge her?"

"Like I just told my Aurors, she was acting in accordance to law… I will be arresting Ron for the attempted murder of Nyssa, mind you, and I will also be taken the rest of the scum too" the red haired witch said.

"That was bloody painful" came a mutter from the floor. Nyssa helped Harry to sit in a chair and he rubbed his joints and shivered slightly.

"Don't do that again…" the teen flung herself into Harry's embrace and sobbed into his robes. Everybody stood around or sat until she'd calmed down and Harry staggered back to his feet.

"I would do it every second of every day if it was to keep you safe, Nyssa" he hissed in pain and rubbed his left ribs gently. "Lets get me sorted out and then we'll go home" and Nyssa slipped one hand into one of Harry's before they walked slowly towards the door to the Wizengamot chamber. "Once I've been patched up, we might need to make a stop at Wizarding Legal Services"

"Why? What do they do?"

"They deal with stuff like contracts for companies" and a small smile paid out over his face. "And its also where you go to register a marriage" and he watched as Nyssa crumpled to the floor "Was it something I said?" he asked the group watching him.

A/N:

I promised that Ron would come down, and he has had his comeuppance!

Yes, that last few lines means EXACTLY what you think!

As always, reviews please

Regards,

Pixel