Alesco
Chapter Twenty-Nine---Strength of a Weasley
*
Ron could feel gentle rays of sunlight on the naked skin of his chest, as he opened his eyes to the morning. This time, he was not surprised to see Hermione sleeping next to him, curled naked under his quilts. She was absolutely beautiful.
He rolled toward her, and gently caressed her cheek. She smiled in her sleep, and he thought he heard her let out a little sigh. To his surprise, she opened her eyes, as if she'd been awake for a long time.
"Hi." She said softly. Her face changed. She abruptly covered her mouth.
"Why are you doing that?" Ron frowned at her.
"Mrnwing bruff." She said, through her hand.
Ron shook his head, understanding dawning on him. Morning breath? She was worrying about that now, after all the nights they'd spent together?
"Bloody hell, Hermione, I don't give a damn about...." He pried her hand off her mouth, and gave her a ferocious snog. She pushed at him for a moment, before giving him an intense hug...then, returning the snog.
As they tried to control their breathing, they heard someone moving around outside. Without warning, someone cleared their throat very loudly near Ron's curtains.
Ron heard Harry's voice. Hermione gasped.
"I thought you might want to know...all the spells you two cast on the curtains have worn off. I heard everything you just said and did in the last couple of minutes. Thanks for the memories."
Hermione sat up, pushing Ron away. Ron watched as she looked down at herself to make sure the quilt covered her, and then she crawled to the end of the bed, grabbing her clothes. "Is anyone else awake yet?" Hermione whispered toward the curtain.
Harry said quietly, "Well, I think Neville's gone. He was really upset about something, and I saw him grab his cauldron and bag and stomp downstairs. That was about a half-hour ago."
"Randy git." Ron clenched his teeth, and made his hands into fists. He felt his face burning with a combination of embarrassment and anger.
"Oh, Ron...please don't do anything stupid." Hermione said, and she was now fully clothed. He frowned, and watched her slide out of the curtains at the head of the bed and slip her feet into her shoes. She leaned back against Ron to pull her wand from under her pillow, and then reached out to hug him tightly. She gently kissed his lips, and gazed longingly into his eyes.
"I'll see you downstairs." Giving his hand a little squeeze, she smiled and tiptoed out...rather awkwardly, Ron noticed.
He watched as she closed the door quietly behind her. He sighed wistfully. What a wonderful night it had been; and how wonderful Hermione had been, he thought.
Harry was sitting on his bed, a very funny look on his face....if Ron didn't know better, it was....
Harry suddenly looked up at Ron. He blurted, "Why are you angry with Neville?"
"Because he....that great poncy bastard....is shagging my little sister." Ron felt his eyes narrow, as his fists clenched again.
"How did finally you find out?" Harry asked incredulously.
Ron looked up at that. "Hey...." He saw a look of shame pass over his friends eyes. "You already knew, didn't you, Harry?" Ron felt the ire rise in him.
Harry looked down at the floor. "Well, yeah. I mean, it was a little obvious."
Ron laughed. Without thinking, he said, "It wasn't obvious to me. I had to steal his Connubium Potion to find out."
He reached behind him, and grabbed the bottle from the where he'd placed it on his headboard. When he turned about, Harry was looking at him in amazement. Ron realized his error too late.
"So...." Harry stuttered, as Ron's face burned. Ron looked at the floor, and when he looked up, Harry avoided his eyes. Harry's face was glowing just as red as Ron's must have been.
At that very moment, Dean and Seamus began to stir in their beds. Harry looked up, and muttered, "We'll talk about this later, all right?"
Ron nodded, and searched for the clothes at the end of the bed.
During his search, he found Hermione's necklace embedded in the sheets. Picking it up, he smiled and impulsively kissed the tiny timepiece hanging at the end. He wished he could keep it, as a reminder of their wonderful night, but he knew she'd want it back.
He put on his underwear, dropped the chain carefully on his desk, and got up from the bed. Harry had apparently already showered, and was sitting on his bed, in deep thought. Dean and Seamus were heading for the shower room, so Ron followed them. He didn't really feel like talking to Harry about the intimate night he'd spent with Hermione yet. In fact, he didn't want to talk about it at all. It seemed wrong, somehow, to voice what they had done together.
Pushing all thoughts aside, he slipped under a shower head and began to soap his body. Sighing, he stretched, feeling aches in muscles he didn't even know existed.
So...that's what sex is like, he thought, smiling.
Seamus, standing at the shower head next to him, began to laugh. "Hey, Ron, you look awfully relaxed this morning. Did you get a little sh--"
Ron shot Seamus a murderous look, and forced him to shut it. Seamus finished his shower in record time, and Dean followed suit.
It allowed Ron more time to relax, and daydream peacefully, underneath the warm, comfortable splash of water.
~*~
When Ron was finished, he went back to the dormitory and put on fresh clothes. Tossing some tooth-flossing mints into his mouth, he pushed up to the mirror to comb his hair.
Ron looked at Harry from the corner of his eye. Harry was now looking at him and chuckling. Dean and Seamus turned around and looked at Harry as well.
Harry continued to laugh, and Ron saw Dean and Seamus look at one another. They shook their heads, and Ron walked over to Harry.
"What's so bloody funny?" Ron muttered in an undertone, his face heating.
"That's the longest I've ever seen you comb your hair, Ron." His face was flushed, and he tried to hold back his laughter. "You look just like Neville did, the morning of...." Harry slowly stopped talking, and relaxed back against his bed.
Ron simply turned about angrily, and could hear Dean and Seamus talking about next weekend's trip to Hogsmeade. Ron realised he hadn't heard from his mother whether or not she would allow he and Ginny to go.
All at once, Ron wanted to go downstairs and see Hermione. Turning back to Harry, he said gratingly, "Wanna go down to breakfast?"
Harry nodded mutely, and joined Ron who headed out the door, down the dormitory stairs.
Hermione was sitting at a table in the common room, looking fresh-faced and wearing a different pair of jeans and blouse than she had the night before. She looked up and smiled at them, and nudged a reclining Crookshanks off her lap before she stood up.
Crookshanks ran to Ron immediately, purring. Ron knelt down beside the cat, and gently petted him. "Hey, mate."
He stood up, to see Hermione give him a huge smile. Harry chuckled beside him, and Ron gave him a hard elbow in the side. Harry stopped laughing.
Hermione rushed up to Ron, and was ready to give him a big hug, when the portrait hole opened.
Almost every inhabitant in the common room saw Professor McGonagall enter. Various students rustled about, apparently trying to appear innocent in the presence of the Head of House.
Hermione shot Ron a pleased look, and grabbed his hand. She tugged him toward the professor.
"Professor McGonagall, you're just the person I wanted to see this morning, I--"
The professor held up her hand, and looked from Harry, to Hermione, and finally toward Ron. She said, "I have good...and bad news for you, Mr Weasley. Your brother has been found." She said this quietly. "I think you three, and Miss Weasley, should come with me."
Ron felt his heart fall into his stomach. She'd said good...and bad news. He didn't think he wanted to know what the bad news was.
The professor looked about the room, and her eyes stopped. Ron turned about, and saw his sister sitting next to Neville on the floor, near the fireplace. Neville had his cauldron in front of him, a small fire underneath, and the two were taking turns putting ingredients in. Ron grimaced, and clenched his fists. At once, Neville turned around and looked at them. Ginny followed suit.
"Miss Weasley, can you come with me, please?" Professor McGonagall said loudly, and his sister's face turned a bright shade of red. She stood up, put a light hand on Neville's shoulder in passing, and joined Ron.
"What's going on, Professor?" She squeaked nervously, sneaking a peak at Ron beside her. He gave her what he thought would be a frustrated look.
"Your brother has been found. Though I fear..." The professor closed her eyes, and shook her head. "Please, come with me." She gestured them to follow her.
Ron turned to Hermione, Harry, and his sister in turn. He felt sick, bewildered, and afraid.
Even so, he felt comforted in seeing the same feelings reflected to him from those around him.
He put his hands into the pockets of his jeans nervously, and felt Hermione's necklace there. He pulled it out, just as they were following Professor McGonagall through the portrait hole. Reaching out, with the necklace in his left hand, he pressed it into Hermione's right hand. He caught her eye, and gave her a weak smile, and squeezed. She squeezed back, and worry creased her brow as she returned the smile.
They moved closer to one another, put an arm around each other, and held each other all the way to Professor Dumbledore's study.
~*~
The moment they stepped into Dumbldore's study, all conversation ceased. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, and Professor Forester and Snape were standing in front of it, glaring at each other. It appeared they'd been in the middle of a heated conversation, and had only stopped because the group had entered.
"Welcome....though I can't say it with cheer." Dumbledore stood up at that, and the two professors in front of him glared once at one another, and then sat down. Dumbledore gestured Ron and his sister forward, and conjured chairs for them. "I asked Professor McGonagall to bring Miss Granger and Mr Potter with her...but it you don't want them in presence...."
Ginny made an eager little sound, and Ron looked at her, and nodded his head emphatically at Dumbledore. Dumbledore nodded his head, as well, a sad expression on his face. He turned around to look at the two professors.
Ron noticed scowls on Professor Forester and Snape's faces....oddly enough, their expressions were nearly similar. He shook his head, feeling frustration roll over him...from Professor Forester?. Ron turned back to the Headmaster. who conjured more chairs for Professor McGonagall, Hermione, and Harry.
Dumbledore sat down behind his desk.
"Your brother was retrieved in an alley near the Leaky Cauldron. He has been badly beaten...and we fear he is in a coma."
"No..." Ginny moaned beside Ron, and the pain in Ron's chest intensified. He was finding it was becoming harder to breathe. He looked around to Hermione, who was sitting behind him. She reached forward, tears in her eyes, and put a hand on his shoulder.
Dumbledore sighed heavily, and continued. "He's in St. Mungos now, and your mother asks that you stay here at Hogwarts. She wanted to pass along that she does not want you to go to Hogsmeade. She is also asking that you be careful, and I've already assured her that you are perfectly safe."
Professor Forester and Snape sat up straight at that, and looked hard at the Headmaster. Dumbledore gave the professors a pointed look, and then continued. Ron could feel fearful waves roll over him...apparently from Professor Forester.
"I want to make you two aware that a great risk has been made to ensure that Bill was not killed." Ron noticed Dumbledore give Snape a sharp look, and Snape broke eye contact with the Headmaster. "We only hope we could have gotten to him sooner, as he has scars that may never heal."
Ginny sat up straight at that, and said abruptly (and rather loudly), "What do you mean?"
Ron turned to his sister, and heard Professor McGonagall tut-tut behind them. Ginny looked about furtively, and then settled back in to her chair. She blushed, and looked down at her hands.
When Ron looked up again, he saw Professor Forester gazing at Ginny. He couldn't quite read the emotions coming from her at that moment. "I'll answer that." She said softly, and turned fully to them.
"I have a confession to make." She pursed her lips, and cleared her throat, looking ill. "I withheld one peice of information from everyone...at first, even from the Headmaster."
Dumbledore gazed at the professor's back gravely, as she continued.
"My department at the Magical Control Bureau in the U.S. dug up more information regarding the brains recovered from Lucius Malfoy. For a long time, we were curious about how the brains became so....animated. Why they morphed tentacles..."
Ron closed his eyes, and inwardly flinched. Madam Pomphrey had placed a memory charm on him, hoping to eradicate some of the memories of that night. Unfortunately, through his sessions with Professor Forester, he'd relived it all.
There was a tense pause, then the professor continued. "I'm sorry, Ron." Ron looked up to see her swallow, and look at the floor. He could feel waves of sorrow wash over him from her, and he felt even worse. "We didn't learn much, but we understand there is a potion that must be made, in order for the brains to exist with tentacles.
"Bill has multiple marks over his body....as if they were bleeding him. I informed my colleagues....and they tell me that Bill's blood may have been used in another potion....they feel, the same type used on the brains at the Department of Mysteries. They say they think that's why he was kept alive and captive for so long. This can only mean that....the Death Eaters may be trying to culture more brains for Lord Voldemort.
"We still don't know why Bill was used....but my colleagues theorize he was targeted because of the Weasley strength. Because he is a pureblood, and because he is not a Death Eater, they felt he was a worthwhile target."
Ron gasped, and he felt his sister squirm in the chair beside him. She blurted. "They bled him? How many times?"
Intense waves of grief met Ron, as Professor Forester continued to look at the floor. In fact, he thought she may be crying.
"Many, I'm afraid, Ginny." She said very softly, and then put her head in her hands.
That was when Snape spoke up, turning to Dumbledore angrily. "I never should have given them--"
"Severus....." Dumbledore held up his hand, and Snape curled his lip and turned, giving Ron a searing look. Dumbledore continued, "We cannot undo what has already been done. We can only look to the future."
Something didn't sit right with Ron, all the sudden. He tried to ignore the grief coming from Professor Forester, and said loudly, "What did Snape do, exactly?" His gaze never left Snape's.
Ginny gasped beside him, and Ron felt Hermione's hand on his shoulder clench. Harry let out a little grumble. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat rather loudly.
Snape looked away from them abruptly.
Dumbledore turned to Ron, and let out a little cough. "Don't you mean Professor Snape, Mr Weasley?"
"Sure, fine." Ron muttered. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, and so Ron said exaggeratedly, "Yes, sir."
Hermione's hand left Ron's shoulder.
Dumbledore inhaled loudly. "Professor Snape's role in this matter is, regretfully, a matter of the Order. As you are not yet of legal age, and your mother has expressly forbid it, I cannot speak with you about that in great detail. I can only say that your Potions Master has had.....a most difficult time."
Snape emitted a harsh laugh, which continued as Professor Dumbledore spoke on. "That is all we have to provide to you at this time. You will be notified once you can visit your brother at St. Mungos."
He gestured for them to stand, the waved his wand. All of the extra chairs disappeared, and everyone looked awkwardly at one another. Ron noticed that Ginny was crying, and Hermione was reaching for her. They hugged, and at that moment, Ron could feel hot pinpricks at the corners of his eyes.
He began to cry; and, for once, he didn't care who saw.
Through the veil of hot tears in his eyes, he saw Hermione look at him...and reach out for him.
He walked over to the two girls, and wrapped them both in a huge hug. They put their arms around him.
At his back, he felt Harry pat him. He even thought Professor McGonagall gave him a little squeeze on the shoulder.
By the time he looked up, they were the only four people in the room, save Dumbledore.
Ron brushed his eyes, and looked at his friend, his lover, and his sister. Then he turned to Dumbledore.
He could barely control his anger.
"They're going to pay....I swear I'll make them pay!"
He said it louder then he'd expected. To his satisfaction, Harry was standing right next to him.
"They can't get away with this." Harry said, in a murderous voice.
Dumbledore stood up, and held up a hand. "I hear you, boys, I hear. I understand your anger. The top aurors are on the case....and we're trying our best--"
Harry stepped forward. "Your best!" He scoffed.
Ron moved next to him. "Yeah, and look what good that did my brother!"
Dumbledore put his hands on both their shoulders. "Please, gentlemen...." Ron was surprised at the old wizard's strength, as he pressed his hand into his shoulder. Ron could feel himself calm almost immediately.
"I ask that you trust the Ministry, and the Order, for all they are doing to bring these evildoers to justice. Remember...you've been through much turmoil...but you're still learning." Dumbledore said this softly, and gave Ron a meaningful look.
Ron looked down. He had a feeling he knew what Dumbledore meant.
"For now, I ask that you all go to your common room, and try to put your mind at ease. Remember that Bill is alive...and you have much to be thankful for." Dumbledore said this reverently, and let go of Ron and Harry.
Ron watched as Harry turned about, and shuffled toward the door. Ron was clasped by Hermione on one side, and Ginny on the other, as the four made their way back to the common room.
Ron was sick. What had they done to his brother all that time? It must have been terrible....so terrible his mum didn't want them to see.
He was going to be physically ill. Bill had already been through enough, under Professor Forester's.....
Climbing through the portrait hole, Ron shook his head. It had to be a coincidence. It just had to be.
Chapter Twenty-Nine---Strength of a Weasley
*
Ron could feel gentle rays of sunlight on the naked skin of his chest, as he opened his eyes to the morning. This time, he was not surprised to see Hermione sleeping next to him, curled naked under his quilts. She was absolutely beautiful.
He rolled toward her, and gently caressed her cheek. She smiled in her sleep, and he thought he heard her let out a little sigh. To his surprise, she opened her eyes, as if she'd been awake for a long time.
"Hi." She said softly. Her face changed. She abruptly covered her mouth.
"Why are you doing that?" Ron frowned at her.
"Mrnwing bruff." She said, through her hand.
Ron shook his head, understanding dawning on him. Morning breath? She was worrying about that now, after all the nights they'd spent together?
"Bloody hell, Hermione, I don't give a damn about...." He pried her hand off her mouth, and gave her a ferocious snog. She pushed at him for a moment, before giving him an intense hug...then, returning the snog.
As they tried to control their breathing, they heard someone moving around outside. Without warning, someone cleared their throat very loudly near Ron's curtains.
Ron heard Harry's voice. Hermione gasped.
"I thought you might want to know...all the spells you two cast on the curtains have worn off. I heard everything you just said and did in the last couple of minutes. Thanks for the memories."
Hermione sat up, pushing Ron away. Ron watched as she looked down at herself to make sure the quilt covered her, and then she crawled to the end of the bed, grabbing her clothes. "Is anyone else awake yet?" Hermione whispered toward the curtain.
Harry said quietly, "Well, I think Neville's gone. He was really upset about something, and I saw him grab his cauldron and bag and stomp downstairs. That was about a half-hour ago."
"Randy git." Ron clenched his teeth, and made his hands into fists. He felt his face burning with a combination of embarrassment and anger.
"Oh, Ron...please don't do anything stupid." Hermione said, and she was now fully clothed. He frowned, and watched her slide out of the curtains at the head of the bed and slip her feet into her shoes. She leaned back against Ron to pull her wand from under her pillow, and then reached out to hug him tightly. She gently kissed his lips, and gazed longingly into his eyes.
"I'll see you downstairs." Giving his hand a little squeeze, she smiled and tiptoed out...rather awkwardly, Ron noticed.
He watched as she closed the door quietly behind her. He sighed wistfully. What a wonderful night it had been; and how wonderful Hermione had been, he thought.
Harry was sitting on his bed, a very funny look on his face....if Ron didn't know better, it was....
Harry suddenly looked up at Ron. He blurted, "Why are you angry with Neville?"
"Because he....that great poncy bastard....is shagging my little sister." Ron felt his eyes narrow, as his fists clenched again.
"How did finally you find out?" Harry asked incredulously.
Ron looked up at that. "Hey...." He saw a look of shame pass over his friends eyes. "You already knew, didn't you, Harry?" Ron felt the ire rise in him.
Harry looked down at the floor. "Well, yeah. I mean, it was a little obvious."
Ron laughed. Without thinking, he said, "It wasn't obvious to me. I had to steal his Connubium Potion to find out."
He reached behind him, and grabbed the bottle from the where he'd placed it on his headboard. When he turned about, Harry was looking at him in amazement. Ron realized his error too late.
"So...." Harry stuttered, as Ron's face burned. Ron looked at the floor, and when he looked up, Harry avoided his eyes. Harry's face was glowing just as red as Ron's must have been.
At that very moment, Dean and Seamus began to stir in their beds. Harry looked up, and muttered, "We'll talk about this later, all right?"
Ron nodded, and searched for the clothes at the end of the bed.
During his search, he found Hermione's necklace embedded in the sheets. Picking it up, he smiled and impulsively kissed the tiny timepiece hanging at the end. He wished he could keep it, as a reminder of their wonderful night, but he knew she'd want it back.
He put on his underwear, dropped the chain carefully on his desk, and got up from the bed. Harry had apparently already showered, and was sitting on his bed, in deep thought. Dean and Seamus were heading for the shower room, so Ron followed them. He didn't really feel like talking to Harry about the intimate night he'd spent with Hermione yet. In fact, he didn't want to talk about it at all. It seemed wrong, somehow, to voice what they had done together.
Pushing all thoughts aside, he slipped under a shower head and began to soap his body. Sighing, he stretched, feeling aches in muscles he didn't even know existed.
So...that's what sex is like, he thought, smiling.
Seamus, standing at the shower head next to him, began to laugh. "Hey, Ron, you look awfully relaxed this morning. Did you get a little sh--"
Ron shot Seamus a murderous look, and forced him to shut it. Seamus finished his shower in record time, and Dean followed suit.
It allowed Ron more time to relax, and daydream peacefully, underneath the warm, comfortable splash of water.
~*~
When Ron was finished, he went back to the dormitory and put on fresh clothes. Tossing some tooth-flossing mints into his mouth, he pushed up to the mirror to comb his hair.
Ron looked at Harry from the corner of his eye. Harry was now looking at him and chuckling. Dean and Seamus turned around and looked at Harry as well.
Harry continued to laugh, and Ron saw Dean and Seamus look at one another. They shook their heads, and Ron walked over to Harry.
"What's so bloody funny?" Ron muttered in an undertone, his face heating.
"That's the longest I've ever seen you comb your hair, Ron." His face was flushed, and he tried to hold back his laughter. "You look just like Neville did, the morning of...." Harry slowly stopped talking, and relaxed back against his bed.
Ron simply turned about angrily, and could hear Dean and Seamus talking about next weekend's trip to Hogsmeade. Ron realised he hadn't heard from his mother whether or not she would allow he and Ginny to go.
All at once, Ron wanted to go downstairs and see Hermione. Turning back to Harry, he said gratingly, "Wanna go down to breakfast?"
Harry nodded mutely, and joined Ron who headed out the door, down the dormitory stairs.
Hermione was sitting at a table in the common room, looking fresh-faced and wearing a different pair of jeans and blouse than she had the night before. She looked up and smiled at them, and nudged a reclining Crookshanks off her lap before she stood up.
Crookshanks ran to Ron immediately, purring. Ron knelt down beside the cat, and gently petted him. "Hey, mate."
He stood up, to see Hermione give him a huge smile. Harry chuckled beside him, and Ron gave him a hard elbow in the side. Harry stopped laughing.
Hermione rushed up to Ron, and was ready to give him a big hug, when the portrait hole opened.
Almost every inhabitant in the common room saw Professor McGonagall enter. Various students rustled about, apparently trying to appear innocent in the presence of the Head of House.
Hermione shot Ron a pleased look, and grabbed his hand. She tugged him toward the professor.
"Professor McGonagall, you're just the person I wanted to see this morning, I--"
The professor held up her hand, and looked from Harry, to Hermione, and finally toward Ron. She said, "I have good...and bad news for you, Mr Weasley. Your brother has been found." She said this quietly. "I think you three, and Miss Weasley, should come with me."
Ron felt his heart fall into his stomach. She'd said good...and bad news. He didn't think he wanted to know what the bad news was.
The professor looked about the room, and her eyes stopped. Ron turned about, and saw his sister sitting next to Neville on the floor, near the fireplace. Neville had his cauldron in front of him, a small fire underneath, and the two were taking turns putting ingredients in. Ron grimaced, and clenched his fists. At once, Neville turned around and looked at them. Ginny followed suit.
"Miss Weasley, can you come with me, please?" Professor McGonagall said loudly, and his sister's face turned a bright shade of red. She stood up, put a light hand on Neville's shoulder in passing, and joined Ron.
"What's going on, Professor?" She squeaked nervously, sneaking a peak at Ron beside her. He gave her what he thought would be a frustrated look.
"Your brother has been found. Though I fear..." The professor closed her eyes, and shook her head. "Please, come with me." She gestured them to follow her.
Ron turned to Hermione, Harry, and his sister in turn. He felt sick, bewildered, and afraid.
Even so, he felt comforted in seeing the same feelings reflected to him from those around him.
He put his hands into the pockets of his jeans nervously, and felt Hermione's necklace there. He pulled it out, just as they were following Professor McGonagall through the portrait hole. Reaching out, with the necklace in his left hand, he pressed it into Hermione's right hand. He caught her eye, and gave her a weak smile, and squeezed. She squeezed back, and worry creased her brow as she returned the smile.
They moved closer to one another, put an arm around each other, and held each other all the way to Professor Dumbledore's study.
~*~
The moment they stepped into Dumbldore's study, all conversation ceased. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, and Professor Forester and Snape were standing in front of it, glaring at each other. It appeared they'd been in the middle of a heated conversation, and had only stopped because the group had entered.
"Welcome....though I can't say it with cheer." Dumbledore stood up at that, and the two professors in front of him glared once at one another, and then sat down. Dumbledore gestured Ron and his sister forward, and conjured chairs for them. "I asked Professor McGonagall to bring Miss Granger and Mr Potter with her...but it you don't want them in presence...."
Ginny made an eager little sound, and Ron looked at her, and nodded his head emphatically at Dumbledore. Dumbledore nodded his head, as well, a sad expression on his face. He turned around to look at the two professors.
Ron noticed scowls on Professor Forester and Snape's faces....oddly enough, their expressions were nearly similar. He shook his head, feeling frustration roll over him...from Professor Forester?. Ron turned back to the Headmaster. who conjured more chairs for Professor McGonagall, Hermione, and Harry.
Dumbledore sat down behind his desk.
"Your brother was retrieved in an alley near the Leaky Cauldron. He has been badly beaten...and we fear he is in a coma."
"No..." Ginny moaned beside Ron, and the pain in Ron's chest intensified. He was finding it was becoming harder to breathe. He looked around to Hermione, who was sitting behind him. She reached forward, tears in her eyes, and put a hand on his shoulder.
Dumbledore sighed heavily, and continued. "He's in St. Mungos now, and your mother asks that you stay here at Hogwarts. She wanted to pass along that she does not want you to go to Hogsmeade. She is also asking that you be careful, and I've already assured her that you are perfectly safe."
Professor Forester and Snape sat up straight at that, and looked hard at the Headmaster. Dumbledore gave the professors a pointed look, and then continued. Ron could feel fearful waves roll over him...apparently from Professor Forester.
"I want to make you two aware that a great risk has been made to ensure that Bill was not killed." Ron noticed Dumbledore give Snape a sharp look, and Snape broke eye contact with the Headmaster. "We only hope we could have gotten to him sooner, as he has scars that may never heal."
Ginny sat up straight at that, and said abruptly (and rather loudly), "What do you mean?"
Ron turned to his sister, and heard Professor McGonagall tut-tut behind them. Ginny looked about furtively, and then settled back in to her chair. She blushed, and looked down at her hands.
When Ron looked up again, he saw Professor Forester gazing at Ginny. He couldn't quite read the emotions coming from her at that moment. "I'll answer that." She said softly, and turned fully to them.
"I have a confession to make." She pursed her lips, and cleared her throat, looking ill. "I withheld one peice of information from everyone...at first, even from the Headmaster."
Dumbledore gazed at the professor's back gravely, as she continued.
"My department at the Magical Control Bureau in the U.S. dug up more information regarding the brains recovered from Lucius Malfoy. For a long time, we were curious about how the brains became so....animated. Why they morphed tentacles..."
Ron closed his eyes, and inwardly flinched. Madam Pomphrey had placed a memory charm on him, hoping to eradicate some of the memories of that night. Unfortunately, through his sessions with Professor Forester, he'd relived it all.
There was a tense pause, then the professor continued. "I'm sorry, Ron." Ron looked up to see her swallow, and look at the floor. He could feel waves of sorrow wash over him from her, and he felt even worse. "We didn't learn much, but we understand there is a potion that must be made, in order for the brains to exist with tentacles.
"Bill has multiple marks over his body....as if they were bleeding him. I informed my colleagues....and they tell me that Bill's blood may have been used in another potion....they feel, the same type used on the brains at the Department of Mysteries. They say they think that's why he was kept alive and captive for so long. This can only mean that....the Death Eaters may be trying to culture more brains for Lord Voldemort.
"We still don't know why Bill was used....but my colleagues theorize he was targeted because of the Weasley strength. Because he is a pureblood, and because he is not a Death Eater, they felt he was a worthwhile target."
Ron gasped, and he felt his sister squirm in the chair beside him. She blurted. "They bled him? How many times?"
Intense waves of grief met Ron, as Professor Forester continued to look at the floor. In fact, he thought she may be crying.
"Many, I'm afraid, Ginny." She said very softly, and then put her head in her hands.
That was when Snape spoke up, turning to Dumbledore angrily. "I never should have given them--"
"Severus....." Dumbledore held up his hand, and Snape curled his lip and turned, giving Ron a searing look. Dumbledore continued, "We cannot undo what has already been done. We can only look to the future."
Something didn't sit right with Ron, all the sudden. He tried to ignore the grief coming from Professor Forester, and said loudly, "What did Snape do, exactly?" His gaze never left Snape's.
Ginny gasped beside him, and Ron felt Hermione's hand on his shoulder clench. Harry let out a little grumble. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat rather loudly.
Snape looked away from them abruptly.
Dumbledore turned to Ron, and let out a little cough. "Don't you mean Professor Snape, Mr Weasley?"
"Sure, fine." Ron muttered. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, and so Ron said exaggeratedly, "Yes, sir."
Hermione's hand left Ron's shoulder.
Dumbledore inhaled loudly. "Professor Snape's role in this matter is, regretfully, a matter of the Order. As you are not yet of legal age, and your mother has expressly forbid it, I cannot speak with you about that in great detail. I can only say that your Potions Master has had.....a most difficult time."
Snape emitted a harsh laugh, which continued as Professor Dumbledore spoke on. "That is all we have to provide to you at this time. You will be notified once you can visit your brother at St. Mungos."
He gestured for them to stand, the waved his wand. All of the extra chairs disappeared, and everyone looked awkwardly at one another. Ron noticed that Ginny was crying, and Hermione was reaching for her. They hugged, and at that moment, Ron could feel hot pinpricks at the corners of his eyes.
He began to cry; and, for once, he didn't care who saw.
Through the veil of hot tears in his eyes, he saw Hermione look at him...and reach out for him.
He walked over to the two girls, and wrapped them both in a huge hug. They put their arms around him.
At his back, he felt Harry pat him. He even thought Professor McGonagall gave him a little squeeze on the shoulder.
By the time he looked up, they were the only four people in the room, save Dumbledore.
Ron brushed his eyes, and looked at his friend, his lover, and his sister. Then he turned to Dumbledore.
He could barely control his anger.
"They're going to pay....I swear I'll make them pay!"
He said it louder then he'd expected. To his satisfaction, Harry was standing right next to him.
"They can't get away with this." Harry said, in a murderous voice.
Dumbledore stood up, and held up a hand. "I hear you, boys, I hear. I understand your anger. The top aurors are on the case....and we're trying our best--"
Harry stepped forward. "Your best!" He scoffed.
Ron moved next to him. "Yeah, and look what good that did my brother!"
Dumbledore put his hands on both their shoulders. "Please, gentlemen...." Ron was surprised at the old wizard's strength, as he pressed his hand into his shoulder. Ron could feel himself calm almost immediately.
"I ask that you trust the Ministry, and the Order, for all they are doing to bring these evildoers to justice. Remember...you've been through much turmoil...but you're still learning." Dumbledore said this softly, and gave Ron a meaningful look.
Ron looked down. He had a feeling he knew what Dumbledore meant.
"For now, I ask that you all go to your common room, and try to put your mind at ease. Remember that Bill is alive...and you have much to be thankful for." Dumbledore said this reverently, and let go of Ron and Harry.
Ron watched as Harry turned about, and shuffled toward the door. Ron was clasped by Hermione on one side, and Ginny on the other, as the four made their way back to the common room.
Ron was sick. What had they done to his brother all that time? It must have been terrible....so terrible his mum didn't want them to see.
He was going to be physically ill. Bill had already been through enough, under Professor Forester's.....
Climbing through the portrait hole, Ron shook his head. It had to be a coincidence. It just had to be.