Chapter: Little Brother – Big Brothers

~(*)\(*)/(*)~

Come Monday, the youngest Weasley had yet to wake, and an icy chill had washed over Hogwarts. Whether it be the early arrival of winter winds or the ominous threat of Chaos in action, no one could be sure. Every witch and wizard could feel the heavyweight of something eery and unpleasant in the air, which served in making everyone uncomfortable and nervous.

"Tch, a cold war in the literal sense it appears…." Muttered a trembling Filch as he walked about the cold corridors completing his duties.

"Meow," Mrs Norris mewled in agreement.

"Hmph, ain't nothing as cruel and evil as gremlin children," he added decisively.

With one last heave, Filch set Dumbledore's oddly scripted mirror down and groaned at the ache of his back. He was getting old, and it showed in his balding withered hair strands and wrinkled skin. Filch gave an ugly frown as he stared at his reflected self. He saw nothing special about this so-called 'important' item. Filch eyes the scripted writing above the mirror and could make zero sense of its nonsensical words.

"Tch," with one last sneer at the object, Filch turned on his heel and hobbled his way towards the door.

"Come along love," he called to Mrs Norris.

If he'd chanced one last look towards the unassuming mirror, he would have seen the fading sparkles that followed his steps and a comely looking woman trailing after him instead of a cat.

But Filch did not glance back, and so he did not see.

~(*)\(*)/(*)~

"Are you certain you don't remember anything else?" Madame Pomfrey double checked with a shrewd eye.

Ron scowled at her doubtful stare and almost sneered in response. If not for the fact she'd been his primary healer since the age of four, he wouldn't have bothered being well mannered.

"Mr Weasley," she sternly repeated and Ron huffed out a groan.

"No, Madame Pomfrey, I didn't see anyone, and I can't remember anything specific that could help identify them."

Perhaps he hadn't used the right tone? Or maybe Madame Pomfrey simply knew him far too well after all these years? Regardless of the reason, she very obviously doubted his honesty.

"Now you listen here, Ronald Weasley, what happened to you very well could have ended horribly. If not for Oliver Woods' sensory magic, you wouldn't have been found at all. Due to your condition, I hope you understand just how dangerous that situation would have been."

Ron did understand, but he'd rather chew on his tongue than admit to it. Madame Pomfrey sighed, having dealt with plenty of stubborn willed redheads to know the meaning of that glint in their eyes.

"You and I both know the worry this news will bring upon your dear mother," she added.

At the mention of Molly Weasley, the young redhead finally seemed sincere with his apologetic demeanour.

"'twas accident…. Nothing more, nothing else…." The child mumbled into his blanket.

Madame Pomfrey hid the doubtful downturn her lips took, knowing fully well this was more than an accident. But she was seasoned enough in her profession to know forcing an admission out of a patient could cause more harm than good. Besides, from the rampage his brothers were stewing to unleash, this 'accident' will see justice soon enough.

"Still, I will need to write your father," she informed and by the defeated slouch he slumped into, Ron understood the warning for what it was.

"Thank you, Poppy…." Ron mumbled.

Ron waited until Madame Pomfrey had cast the privacy wards around his bed and closed his curtains before he sat up once again.

"Shit! You bloody screwup, Ronald!" he snarled while clawing at his hair and knocking at his head with his fists.

'Of all the things to give in to!' He continued to mentally berate.

The frustration Ron felt was growing to be too much. He could feel the constriction in his chest and the strangling of his magic around his throat. He was still too weak from his recent episode and knew he'd have to cut this one off before it fully manifested. He wanted to be out of here as soon as possible. Ron grabbed at the pillow from beneath him and quickly pressed it against his face. Only then did he let loose the furious roar that had built in his chest.

He didn't stop until the pressure had eased and he felt his magic loosen its hold around his throat. Ron pushed the pillow off his face with a greedy gasp and inhaled deeply while staring at the ceiling. He could feel the hot burn of his cheeks and the croaky sandpaper feel of his throat, but despite the discomfort, Ron finally felt serene.

It was a temporary fix for his beastly condition, but Ron knew better now. He'd do a much better job at monitoring his condition in the future.

"No use crying over spilt beans," he grumbled with a scowl after taking his potions and nibbling on the porridge Madame Pomfrey left at his bedside.

Having said that, Ron got to work.

The first and most important thing he had to do was write to Bill and Dad. Madame Pomfrey had been nice enough to allow him it per his request. But he knew she wouldn't allow him a chance to send it until he'd been released from her care.

"It's as if she's got no faith in me," Ron huffed to himself.

It wasn't a fair statement to make, as the mediwitch knew the child better than he'd like to admit. Madame Pomfrey knew the boy had a habit of making light of any harmful situations he was in. She worried one day he'd be stabbed and opt to hide the wound rather than say a word, the silly self-less boy.

~(*)\(*)/(*)~

Dear Dad,

Whatever he's written, don't agree to a shred of it! Percy's overreacting to nothing important. I'm completely fine and it was just a little accident. It's not worth whatever he's planning. Seriously Dad, don't approve of whatever insane vendetta Percy's gonna ask for! Knowing him, he's reckless enough to let it harm his chances at Head Boy or worse Prime Minister!

Um, anyways.

I'm all better now, but Poppy won't let me go yet. I'm sure she wrote to you about my condition and I'm sorry for not taking better care. I'll do my best to look after myself better in the future. How Are Mum and Ginny? Has Ginny found her next clue yet? Tell Mum I miss her, especially her special biscuits. Also, tell Gin I'll write her the second Poppy lets me out and Errol returns. Quicker if Percy's owl is back from whatever he's up to. Seriously Dad, don't let him do it, he's just being dramatic.

I hope the ministry hasn't been stressing you out as much and that you're taking safe care of yourself too.

My love to you all,

Ron.

~(*)\(*)/(*)~

Ron knew by the time his dad got his letter; it'd be too late to stop anything. But better to try than not at all. He's sure to see Percy and the Twin's vendettas soon enough. He hoped Mother Magic at least kept Chaos from blessing whatever mess they were planning.

~(*)\(*)/(*)~

Dear Bill,

I know you warned me to expect something like this, but I didn't think it would happen. I wasn't paying attention and now Percy and the twins are on a rampage. You're laughing, aren't you? You git. What can I do to fix this? Or at least keep them from committing crimes worthy of Azkaban!? I mean, surely what you told me about Percy isn't true? Right? I hope you choke on your laughter, or some goblin thinks you're mad and has you benched. It's not funny, Bill!

Missing you with all my love,

Ron.

~(*)\(*)/(*)~

When Ron was finally released from the infirmary, he rushed straight to the owlery. Errol was exactly where he should be to his great relief and mild worry. Ron opted not to think too hard about what that might mean. After sending Errol off, he readied himself for his next self-imposed mission, hunting down his overprotective big brothers and checking on his evasive new friends. It worried him that Hermione and Harry weren't hanging out with the rest of their year mates while he'd been bedbound.

Dean, Lavender, Seamus, Neville, and Parvati assured him there was nothing to worry about, but what sent his instincts into a panic was the fact his two friends were often seen trailing after his older brothers instead. Ron was sensible enough to know there was a reasonable explanation for why they would do that, but if it involved Percy and the twins he was in the right to worry.

Bill's teasing warning about the protective instincts of his brothers and their so-called 'traditions' had seemed like a joke at the time. A joke turned annoyingly real when Fred and George continued to haze his friends while Percy turned a blind eye.

Bill put an entire dorm in the infirmary for Charlie. Charlie lured a bunch of Ravenclaws into a nest of Acromantula in the Forbidden Forrest for trying to bully Percy. Percy got the Twin's other dormmate to transfer to Drumstrang after he complained about their experiments in their dorms to McGonagall and got the twins detention with Snape for stealing ingredients.

There were rumours the poor sod never even made it to Drumstrang but completely disappeared from existence. Of course, there was no proof Percy participated in the situation, but Ron knew, that if Percy decided he wanted something done he'd do it legally or not.

Thankfully, he didn't have to search far to find one of his older brothers. He found Percy seated primly at the Gryffindor table, chatting idly away with his badge glinting sharply on his robe. What truly spurred Ron into motion wasn't the sight of his dangerously unsuspecting brother, but the green-eyed boy across from him who appeared completely enamoured by whatever nonsense Percy might have been sprouting.

Ron hurried over to the duo with a sharp bark of 'Oi' booming from his scowling mouth. Only Harry had jumped at his call, his eyes narrowed in a poisonous green glare and his fingers ready around his wand. Ron scowled deeper at the high-strung paranoia his friend seemed to have adapted since he last saw him, and he turned to Percy with a disgruntled growl. Percy was unbothered by Ron's obvious mood, instead, he welcomed Ron with a cheery 'hello' before fussing over his appearance.

"Enough of that Percival, what the hell have you three been up to with my mates!?" Ron demanded.

Harry had shrunk back in shock at Ron's aggressive growl, but Ron quickly turned a fussing eye over him before he could retreat far. Percy watched Ron's movement with a calculating glint but quickly swapped the expression for one of shock when Harry peeked over at him. Ron was too focused on making sure Harry had all his limbs intact without any new scars to join the one on his forehead.

"You good, Harry? Give me your hands I need to check them for jinx traces or poisoning!"

Harry's eyes were warm while his cheeks grew hot with pleased embarrassment. He'd never had anyone fuss over him with such earnest care before and he'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy it.

"I'm fine Ron! Percy was just helping me with my wizard history."

Ron stopped his fussing long enough to check if Harry was being honest. It didn't stop his gut instinct from being suspicious, especially at the faux innocent glint in Percy's eyes, but if Harry seemed so sure, Ron would just have to believe him.

For Harry, the fact Ron was truly in front of him completely healthy had finally sunk in and he'd lunged to trap the taller boy in a chokehold hug. Ron was startled at first but easily adjusted to the sudden ambush.

"You're ok! You're ok!" Harry mumbled in dazed relief.

"I can take care of myself, Harry," Ron grumbled but it was Percy who responded instead.

"Indeed, you can Ronald, which is why I'm sure you wouldn't object to providing details behind this whole 'misunderstanding' you insisted occurred."

Ron tried not to show how wary he was of Percy's calm demeanour, knowing it was likely an act. He could feel his arm hair tingling in their roots and knew Percy was still pissed about the incident. If Ron wanted to make sure none of his older brothers became convicted criminals sentenced to Azkaban, he had to get Percy to abandon whatever hair-brained vengeance he had planned.

"I told McGonagall, Dumbledore and Pomfrey all that matters, it won't happen again, alright."

But it wasn't Percy who refused to let Ron dismiss the issue, but Harry.

"Ron."

Ron shivered as the hair at the nape of his neck stood on end and a cold thrill scrambled down his spine. He found his robe sleeve gripped tightly in Harry's hold, and the smaller boy peered up at Ron from behind his glasses with a poison green stare. It was spellbinding – almost intoxicating – to be weighed down by the pure power pulsing within the dark of those green eyes. Ron felt his chest scar burn while something beastly howled within him with salivating enthusiasm.

"They hurt you."

Harry's tone was dark, almost murderous and Ron shivered at how scary the smaller boy suddenly appeared. A small part of him couldn't help but doubt this was the same scrawny, awkward, and dense boy he'd met at the station.

~(*)\(*)/(*)~

Percy swallowed the pleased huff of laughter he almost let out from where he observed the younger boys. It was clear to him that investing in Potter was the best course of action to take. For now, Potter was too weak to protect Ron; but with Percy's help, the boy could become something great.

The first year had natural survivor instincts and a self-serving morality that would do him well. But it was the cunning and obsession he desperately tried to hide that made him worth notice. Perhaps it was those similarities in Granger and Potter that drew Ron to them. He wondered if Ron was aware of the potential his little 'friends' were capable of.

Percy smirked at seeing how Potter's intensity surprised his little brother. Ron had been in the infirmary for nearly a week, and in that time Percy exposed Potter to plenty of new perspectives. Just as the twins had done for Granger. If Ron refused to let them protect him in close range, they'd make sure those he kept close would die for him just as they would.

~(*)\(*)/(*)~

Ron felt unbalanced by Harry's sudden worship of Percy. It wasn't as if the smaller boy was kissing Percy's feet and singing ballads about his brother, but the intensity and weight he gave Percy's every opinion unnerved Ron. Just what the bloody fuck did his brother do with his mate while he was stuck in the infirmary!? All Ron knew at that moment is he had to find Hermione as soon as possible. Without saying goodbye or bothering to be polite and gentle, he grabbed Harry by the hood of his robe and stormed his way towards the door of the Great Hall.

With a harshly growled whisper of a spell Mrs Weasley taught all her children, Ron stared at his wrist and followed the blood-red lines under his skin that directed him to where his demon brothers held hostage the last of his friends. Harry was staring with fascinated curiosity at the show of magic Ron had performed.

"What kind of spell is that?" the bespectacled boy asked.

"The secret kind, mate. I'll ask Mum to teach you and Mione later, but I'm technically not supposed to be using it so obviously," Ron distractedly explained.

"Why not?"

"Well- HAH! Found you, you sneaky fucks! Come on, Harry we gotta get to the quidditch field."

"What?"

~(*)\(*)/(*)~

Hermione paced her breaths and didn't dare glance down. She could feel the quivering of Fred's belly as he laughed and soared higher. She was also certain her mouth was full of blood from how tightly her teeth dug into the flesh of her tongue. But she would not scream. She would not show fear or terror.

Not now. Not ever.

"You surprised us, Granger, I'll give you that much. George bet you would have broken face four days in, I bet two hours. I'm impressed," Fred lazily commented as he slowed their flying to a leisure cruise.

The change should have pleased her, or at least settled her stomach. It did none of those. Instead, Hermione became more aware of how her feet were dangling over the side of a broomstick high above the ground with no safety net beneath her.

"Nothing to say. Huh? Now that's a little disappointing. Last chance Granger…." Fred leaned closer his devilish grin wicked and dark like the depths of his eyes. He loomed over her oppressing and intimidating like every other person, older and taller than she, loved to do.

" If you call chicken now, George and I won't hold it against yah."

Hermione swallowed the blood in her mouth, ignoring its rustic and cloggy taste. She didn't dare to look away from the demon staring her down. She knew exactly what she was doing, what she was risking and what the demon twins wanted her to prove.

How far would she go to prove her loyalty? How deep does her trust in a boy she just met go? How devoted could she be to a boy she barely knew? To what ends would she fight for him? To what ends would she follow him?

The best feature about the Weasley brothers, Hermione would argue, would be their devotion to those they consider theirs. And something in her chest, belly and mind hungered to be part of a pack like that.

It's with that thought, that Hermione finally lets go of the demon boy watching her. His face slackens to something cold and cruel, something malicious. Fred doesn't hesitate to push her from her perch on his broom, and Hermione doesn't scream.

She forces her eyes to stay open as the world around her blurs and she loses feeling in her body. She's free-falling through the sky, getting dragged down by gravity towards a splattering end. She's getting closer and closer to the ground, able to make out two small forms of frantically yelling boys at the bottom. It's almost as if they're waiting for her…. And that…. That makes Hermione smile.

"Arresto Momentum"

The spell hits her in the back and like a parachute suddenly being released from its pack, Hermione's rapid falling becomes a slow float. Then there are arms wrapping around her waist and dragging her to sit comfortably on a thin flying broomstick. She blinks away the blurry watering of her eyes and looks into the gaze of the nicer half of the demon-twins. George smirks down at her looking impressed, pleased, and amused.

"Ballsy ickle first-year alright."

Hermione blinks once.

Twice.

And then proceeds to throw up over the side of the broom. George is laughing raucously with Fred's cackling joining in from a little higher. But their laughter is soon drowned out by the viciously thundered roar of their names from the ground.

"Oh! Ronnie-kins is awake!" George cheerfully points out.

The twins waste no time in speeding toward their youngest brother whose face is red with fury. If not for Hermione's quickly learned instincts from her time with the twins, she probably would have fallen off the broomstick.

~(*)\(*)/(*)~

The Weasley brothers crowded together in the first-year dormitories. It was the first time, since Ron's attack, that they'd been alone together away from the prying eyes of other students. After making sure both Hermione and Harry were okay, Ron had demanded his brothers join him in his dorm. The older Weasley's left vague instructions for Lee and Oliver to keep the first-years in the common room before following.

Ron was heaving and his hands would not stop shaking. He could feel his magic bubbling under his skin, itching to explode outward in response to his fury. Across from him, lounging like lazy lions were the twins and leaning against his bedpost was prim and proper Percy.

"What the fuck did you two bloody pricks think you were doing!? You could have killed her!" Ron roared.

The twins only shrugged in response, furthering the red flush on Ron's face.

"Nonsense, Ronald, I'm sure it was all a simple misunderstanding," Percy tempered with an arched brow.

Ron visibly bristled at the obvious dig Percy was making.

"Oh, all right, I get it now. So, it's my fault the three of you decided to try and murder my friends!?" Ron growled with a sarcastic laugh.

"They're still breathing, aren't they? Give us a little credit, Ronnie." George sighed, sounding incredibly bored with the entire conversation.

"Yeah, if we wanted them dead we'd never be so obvious about it," Fred snickered.

Ron opened his mouth to reply but Percy's tempered drawl immediately shut him up.

"You should know that it was your friends that came to us, not the other way around. Did you think we'd be the only ones furious about what happened? Granger and Potter practically begged us to help them find the culprit behind your little 'accident'."

Ron winced and the fury he felt faded in favour of defiant guilt. The tension between the four siblings began to shift from one furious little brother to three extremely disappointed big brothers. Fred and George sat straighter as Percy began to draw in the air with his wand. Ron glared at the re-drawn chess board from his last game against Percy and dropped his glare to his feet.

"You don't get to spout nonsense about us being overprotective when you go and do something silly like this," Fred accused.

"We're the big brothers Ronald, not you. You come to us when dickheads come after you for shit we did. That's our business to deal with not yours." George added with a firm stare looking very much like their father.

"I had it managed." Ronald stubbornly growled but the twins weren't having it.

There was no laughter or mischief in their expression. Nothing remotely amused on their faces. Had anyone else been in the dorm with them, they would have trembled at how scarily serious the twins appeared.

"No, you didn't Ronald and that is entirely the problem. Perhaps if you chose to share with us the situation, we would have been on higher alert and seen the entire problem solved immediately. Instead, you chose to keep it secret and endanger yourself, therefore, scaring the magic out of all three of us as well as your newfound friends," Percy sternly scolded.

Ron already knew how big his mistake was and just how stupid he'd been to try managing everything on his own. He didn't need his brothers to remind him. But he'd rather swallow his tongue than admit to them being right in any form. Percy suddenly let out a heavy sigh before bending slightly to lift Ron's head so their gazes could meet.

"You are our baby brother, do you understand? And while we are at Hogwarts all three of you are my responsibility. No matter the circumstances or even ridiculous reasons, I thought I could trust you to honestly inform me about your hardships. I'm honestly hurt that you didn't." Percy softly admitted.

Ron was no idiot. He could hear the persuasion in Percy's tone and the hidden guilt trip in his words. Which was why it was no surprise the twins followed Percy's queue and slithered over on both his sides with soft imploring eyes.

"You're our ickle little Ronnie-kins," George started.

"And we hate seeing you upset or hurt," Fred finished.

With all three of his older brothers caging him between them, cooing affectionately about how much they cared for him, Ron couldn't help but admit defeat. He slumped into their hold and let out a heavy sigh of resignation.

"The three of you are the worst and I'm writing Mum about you bothering my friends," Ron mumbled.

His eyes were closed so he didn't see the victorious amusement shared between the three older red-heads. With the tension completely resolved, Ron reluctantly explained the details behind his incident. And after a bit more prodding from the twins, Ron also gave up the names of those he suspected involved.

He was then crowded and pampered by his older brothers, who eventually released him back to his impatiently waiting fellow first-years. It wasn't until the three brothers were sure Ron was properly distracted and no longer paying them mind, that they snuck away for a meeting of their own.

The Weasleys brothers were not to be messed with. It was an unspoken rule whispered among the students of Hogwarts. But someone had dared to break it and worst of all they had targeted the youngest currently attending. It would take time… but the Weasley brothers had no intentions of rushing their vengeance.