a/n: Apologies for posting an unedited chapter. For reasons entirely personal, I decided to post this before I send it to Callie for a proofread. Let's just say, I desperately need to feel I accomplished something this week, even if it is a fic update. I am incredibly jittery about sharing an unbeta-ed chapter. Any and all errors you find are mine. Will replace it with the polished one later.
A shoutout to Clinio for sending me a tiny fanfic on this fanfic... I am totally overwhelmed by all the love you send my way.
Ch 21: The Trials and Tribulations of Auror Ron Weasley
It was a dark night; the ominous grey clouds were steadily creeping in, spreading their wings over the entire skyline. Most of the city had already gone to bed; the lulled silence was only broken by sporadic sounds of lone cars passing by.
Auror Ron Weasley stood alone on his balcony, The photograph in his hand fluttered in the wind as if trying to escape from his grip. It was much too dark for him to see anything but he could picture her clearly- laughing with reckless abandon, sitting with her legs folded under her, a book on her lap, the familiar silhouette of the castle behind her. If he tried, he could also hear her laughter and feel her eyes on him.
As the dark clouds moved in and the very first drops of rain fell on him, Ron pocketed the picture and went inside. The sky was alight with a bright streak of light and not a moment later, the loud clap of thunder rattled the bolted glass windows, shattering the quiet of his flat. He pulled the glass door shut behind him as he padded down the hall, leaving watery footprints on the carpet.
Ron did not reach for the bottle that night. Instead, he found his way to his room and collapsed on his bed. A practised hand reached for the bedside drawer and pulled out the Deluminator. There was the smallest ray of hope that shattered as the Deluminator clicked and instead of the blue he hoped for, released a yellow ball of light that swooshed its way to the bedside lamp. He pulled out the picture again and gazed at her face for a long time before bringing a trembling finger to touch her face, and fifteen-year-old Hermione looked up at him and smiled.
That was the last straw.
He curled up on his bed and cried till sleep claimed his exhausted body.
…...
The night before the hearing, Hermione stayed at her parents. She did not trust herself anymore. What if she found her way back to Ron and he pushed her away again? She left her wand in the living room and walked up to her childhood bedroom. Without her wand, she wouldn't be able to Apparate away, without a magical fireplace, it would be harder to tempt herself to find Ron.
Lying on the bed, with no sign of sleep, she tried to quell the rising panic as she gazed at the ceiling.
Would Draco continue to hold on to the principles of their profession or would he allow the old Malfoy in him to rise? What if her interference made him choose the latter?
…...
The halls leading to the courtrooms were so familiar to her that, on a normal day, she'd reach the designated room without even bothering to look up from her papers. Today, however, it felt strangely dark and damp, and Hermione fumbled for ten minutes straight before Percy intervened and guided the family towards courtroom number five.
As they turned left into the last corridor, they found Ron and Harry waiting just outside the door. Harry's anxiety was palpable as he unconsciously hid his scar over and over again but Ron looked strangely nonchalant. As Molly hurried along after letting out a strangled cry, Hermione's steps faltered wondering for the first time, whether her presence was welcome at all. But she couldn't resist soaking in the sight from a distance.
Gold-rimmed, deep navy robes were reserved for the most elite and celebrated Aurors on the force; Ron wore them with ease, looking immaculate and strikingly powerful. She had never seen him this way before.
"Hermione! Come along!" Ginny called, and she hurried forward until they reached the boys and Ginny came to a halt. She barely heard the words Harry exchanged with everyone, instead continued to look at Ron, who it seemed had decided to ignore her presence completely.
"The Minister is on his way. Let's go inside," called Percy, and the whole Weasley family entered. Hermione halted at the doorway, feeling strangely empty- it was evident Ron didn't want her here. She bit her lip in an attempt to hide her anguish when a soft cough made her look up. He was standing right there, looking at her with something strange in his eyes.
"Thanks for coming," he said softly, taking one long look at her and her heart stopped. Before she could protest, Ron had walked into the room. With her heart thudding madly in her chest, she forced herself to walk and take her place on the stands as a mere spectator, but her heart screamed and yelled.
Ron was prepared to lose. He wasn't here to win the case. He didn't care anymore.
At that moment, she wanted to fight him, yell and beg, asking him to allow her to defend him.
What if Draco wasn't good enough to save him?
…...
The courtroom was packed. Ron looked strangely aloof as he sat in the middle of the huge room. Goyle, still heavily bandaged, was sitting hunched in his own chair, with his mother beside to him. The willowy woman who reminded Harry of Aunt Petunia was busy talking to he son and would look up occasionally to glare at Ron.
Kingsley stood up and turned towards the petitioner's chair. "Mr Gregory Goyle," he announced firmly, "You have levied some very serious charges against Auror Ronald Weasley." The Minister paused, taking one long look at the beefy man sitting in front of the jury. "You have accused him of attempted murder. Is that correct?" he asked, his voice booming in the cavernous room.
The man looked up, raising his face towards the Wizagamont and grunted in response.
"Very well, let the proceedings begin," he announced.
Harry looked at Malfoy who was busy shuffling through his documents and glanced sideways at Hermione. She looked rather pale, and Harry found her watching Ron. He ran his hand through his hair again before nervously adjusting his fringe. Malfoy had entered the courtroom at the very last minute and Harry seriously hoped that the bloke would manage to swing the case in Ron's favour- unfortunately, he had nothing more than hopes to bank on; his team hadn't managed to find a single witness in Ron's favour or otherwise. He drew his attention back to the jury as an elderly witch, Madame Merriam Withycombe, started speaking.
"Mr Gregory Goyle has alleged that on Saturday, the 28th of May, 2005, he was walking down Old Warlock's Alley, when Auror Ronald Weasley arrived on the spot and attacked him without any provocation," she announced, reading from a scroll on her desk, her gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. She looked at the bulk of the bandaged man before she continued, "We have reports from the Healers who attended him, that Mr Goyle was admitted in a serious condition that included but were not limited to fractured limbs, ribs and skull. Mr Goyle, you have demanded the strictest punishment for Auror Weasley, a public apology in addition to ten thousand Galleons for the damages."
Goyle looked menacingly at Ron before looking up at the bench in what Harry could only describe as a pathetic attempt to look weak and vulnerable, notwithstanding the bandages that were wrapped around his arms, torso and head.
"So you reiterate that the attack was unprovoked?"
"Yeah," Goyle grumbled. "Was mindin' my own business," he added as his mother poked him on the arm. "Said I couldn't touch him, famous Auror and all."
"Hmm," Withycombe replied and turned towards Ron instead.
"Auror Weasley, do you deny the charges Mr Goyle has levied against you?"
Harry could almost feel all eyes in the room rivet on Ron.
"No, Ma'am, I don't," he replied calmly. Murmuring erupted on the strands, and Harry felt Hermione and the rest of the Weasleys turn at him in shock. He grabbed the railing ahead of him watching Malfoy instead.
"Do you accept all charges?" she asked, the surprise evident in her words.
Ron paused for a heartbeat and looked up at the strands. Harry was sure Ron found Hermione watching him before he turned towards the bench. "I do."
Loud murmuring and gasps echoed from all corners of the room and it was a while before the Minister could silence them all.
"Auror, do you realise the gravity of the charges? You could be looking at a lifetime in Azkaban," Kingsley asked.
"I know," he replied just as calmly.
The elderly witch looked at Ron carefully and adjusted her glasses before she spoke. "Defence Attorney, would you like to say something, or should the Wizengamont pass the judgement based on your client's statements?"
Malfoy rose from his chair, looked at Ron before bowing slightly to the bench.
"Esteemed members of the Wizengamot, first, I must apologize for my clients brass behaviour and blatant lies."
"I will punch his guts," Harry swore quietly to Ginny. She shushed him and Harry turned back at Malfoy, missing half of his sentence.
"- had a perfectly honourable reason behind it."
"What's he getting at?"
Harry turned at Ainsworth, who was watching the proceeding, his features grim. "I don't know," Harry replied. Draco was now smiling at the jury, looking extremely pleased with himself.
"I can obviously remind the bench of my client's heroic past-" Draco paused as if swallowing something disgusting and slimy, "-or his double Order of Merlin, First Class. But I won't." He paused again, and this time looked like he had made up his mind about something. "I am just going to present my witness and let the jury decide."
"Witness?! What witness?" Ainsworth exclaimed from the side. Harry was wondering the exact same thing. as he watched the floor. For the first time, he noticed, Ron was looking uncomfortable.
"Honourable Minister of Magic and the Members of Wizengamot, please let me introduce, Healer Astoria Greengrass-"
All heads turned towards the stands on the left from where a woman was now descending, "- daughter of Harold and Edvina Greengrass, and until last Sunday, the 29th of May, 2005, fiancé of Mr Gregory Goyle."
"What?" gasped Ginny, and she wasn't alone. All sets of eyes turned towards the beefy man and his mother, both of whom looked very ill at ease at the sudden change of events.
But Harry was looking straight at Ron who watched the woman descend and take her place. Astoria looked at Ron and smiled, and Ron looked away to glare at Draco instead.
"This is a setup!" screamed Goyle's mother as she glared at Draco. "I can't believe how low you have fallen to help these blood traitors!" she yelled.
"Mrs Goyle, please sit down and mind your language!" roared Kingsley.
"You have no proof!" she snapped at Draco.
"One more word and you will be charged for contempt of court!" Withycombe warned and the woman returned to her set, albeit muttering to herself.
Draco waited for Goyle's mum to settle down before he proceeded.
"Set up, is it?" he asked her, before pulling out a few scrolls, and handed them to the wizard at the desk who passed it on, to the Minister.
"Written statements from Healer Astoria's parents. The engagement and dowry agreements signed by the estranged couple, Greengrass Senior and Mrs Goyle. And last but not the least, the documents to mark the engagement null and void-" he turned to face the Goyles again, features smug, "-with the date mentioned below. Now, if you don't have any further objection, Mrs Goyle," he turned at the petite girl sitting consciously on the witness chair, "Healer Greengrass, please tell the Wizengamot what you know about the incident that occurred on Saturday, the 28th of May, 2005."
…...
Astoria looked up at the courtroom at large, taking in the faces that were waiting for her to start speaking. She glanced at Ron sitting next to her, dressed impeccably in his Auror robes.
"You don't need to do this," he said softly, and she smiled at him before turning back towards the bench.
"I work at St Mungo's," she began, clasping and unclasping her hands on her lap, "I was engaged to-" she faltered, drew in a breath and tried again, "-to Mr Gregory Goyle a few days ago. It was arranged by our parents. My parents are still adamant about their old Pureblood ways," she added, looking down on a particular stone of the floor. "On Saturday, Mr- he- owled me to meet him for dinner. We met outside Madame Malkin's, and he said he had reserved a table for us in a restaurant. But when we reached Old Warlock's Alley, I grew suspicious." She paused for a while and looked up at Draco who conjured a goblet, filled it with water and handed it to her. She thanked him silently and took a sip. Holding the goblet for strength, she resumed speaking. "I knew all the shops on that street were shut down years ago. When I asked him why he'd brought me there, he said he just wanted to spend some time alone with me. I wasn't comfortable and asked whether we could go someplace else- " Either her voice was way too loud or perhaps, the courtroom was eerily silent, hanging on to her every word. Astoria bit her lip, forcing herself to go on. "He- he kissed me forcefully-"
There were loud gasps from around them, and Astoria turned a smidge to notice the Auror looking straight ahead, fire blazing in his eyes.
"I rebuked Goyle's advances," she said softly, but in the silence of the courtroom, each word was painfully loud and clear. "He grabbed my arm before I could use my wand and used brute strength to overpower me. I yelled for help, but no one was nearby," she paused, sucked in a breath and continued, "And then… suddenly Auror Weasley arrived…" Astoria looked up at the man sitting to her left.
She had tried her best to fight him, but Goyle was just way too large and strong. He easily forced her wand away, and holding at her wrists above her head, pinned her back to the wall and proceeded to kiss her mercilessly. His other arm groped over her breasts, tearing off the fabric of her robes. Try as she might, he was simply too strong for her as he pressed his body over hers, and to her horror, grabbed her thigh, making his intentions very clear.
Astoria had given up hope when suddenly the weight was pulled away from her. As she slumped down on the pavement, she saw the tall man place blow upon blow on her assailant. The two were almost equally tall, and while her attacker was more heavily built, her saviour was extremely agile. Fury seemed to radiate from the man in Auror robes as he bashed the bulky man's head against the wall over and over again. He kept hitting Goyle ruthlessly, breaking multiple bones. Despite having taken an oath to keep others safe under all circumstances, Astoria couldn't feel an ounce of sympathy for the man who was getting bashed up. She was relieved, to say the least.
A long time passed, and only when the huge body lay motionless and bleeding on the ground, did the Auror approach her. Looking away from her dishevelled form, he conjured a big robe for her, and once her modesty was adequately covered, he handed her the wand that she had lost. Astoria knew she would never forget the pain that laced those blue eyes.
She looked up, having forgotten that she was in a room full of people, that she was actually the one narrating the whole incident.
"Healer Greengrass, it's alright if you don't tell us any further," said Madame Withycombe kindly. "However we would still like to know why you did not come forward when the false allegations were levied against Auror Weasley?" Withycombe turned at the Auror, "Auror Weasley, why didn't you tell the bench the truth?"
"Because I did not want everyone to know what happened," Astoria replied, looking at the stoic man who had appeared and saved her that evening. "I was ashamed about the incident," she stated, "I asked Auror Weasley if we could avoid making it public, and he promised me he'd do everything to ensure the incident wouldn't be traced back to me." She exhaled tiredly and took a sip of the water from the goblet. "It was Auror Weasley himself who got Goyle admitted to the hospital. I went home and confessed to my parents who called off the engagement at once," she sighed. "I just wanted to put this episode behind me, forget it and never see his face again." She wiped off angry tears on the back of her hand, sniffed and started speaking again, looking straight at the lady heading the bench. "My parents were worried the incident would disgrace the family name. When the Goyles realised that my parents were keen on keeping the matter under wraps, and Gregory wouldn't be charged for his actions, they came up with false allegations against Auror Weasley himself."
…...
Hermione looked at the man sitting in the chair below as the jury passed the unanimous verdict.
The hall broke out in loud cheers. Amidst all the loud screams of exhilaration, she couldn't take her eyes off him. Ron looked neither happy nor relieved, he continued to look resolutely at a blank row of seats straight ahead as the Wizengamot announced his release and ordered interrogation on Goyle instead. As the courtroom dispersed, she sat on her spot watching as the family ran down to him. She kept hoping he would look up, but he didn't.
He was still the Ron she knew, the one who would sacrifice himself to keep others safe. There was no way this Ron had left her for selfish reasons.
Hermione knew she needed those answers- answers he had begged her to listen to in the first place…
…..
Draco glanced at the face he held dearest and found her looking at another. And he knew- he knew the equations had changed, just as he feared they would.
…...
Much later that evening, Ron walked down the corridor, looking for a particular door. He had no clue how Malfoy had found Astoria. He didn't even know who she was when he had found her that night. Harry insisted that he ought to be happy, but Ron needed to know that Astoria had not been forced to present herself just to save Ron. And he needed to know that from Malfoy. Unfortunately, he had been caught up with paperwork and meetings with their department head and the Minister after the hearing.
Ron hurried his steps as he walked down the corridor with rooms after rooms marking out the names of the attorneys. He stopped in front of one and entered the small waiting room. A young bloke was sitting at his desk with piles of scrolls in front of him.
"Is Malfoy in?" Ron asked, and the bloke stood up looking visibly flushed.
"Yes, Auror. But he is in a meeting," he replied hurriedly. "Would you mind waiting for a moment?"
"No problem," he smiled.
"I'll inform him," the guy rose from his desk when an interdepartmental memo flew in and the bloke caught it. He opened it and read fast.
He looked between Ron and the memo. "I'm sorry, Sir, but I'll be right back!"
"No worries," replied Ron as he took a seat.
Minutes past and there was no sign of the assistant, so Ron began pacing around the office. He paused at the door, wondering whether to knock or come back later when he heard them- the two voices sounded close to the door.
"Thank you for keeping our history aside and doing this, Draco," said the familiar female voice.
"Couldn't let your trust down, Hermione," came the reply as footsteps came closer. Ron was rooted to the spot.
"I'll see you at home," came the man's voice. "Love you."
Ron didn't wait to hear the rest as he left in haste.
...