Hello, my freaky darlings. did not notify me of reviews- thank you to everyone who left one on either site. I hope you enjoy some of the fallout from the actions of the last chapter.
Chapter 57 Consequences
Molly could feel her pulse in the throbbing pain in her head. She suspected the staff of withholding proper pain medication to be spiteful. The mediwitch claimed it was over concern of a concussion or possible brain hemorrhage, but she knew the real reason. That Molly was a victim of unwarranted violence meant nothing to them. Golden Hermione and her new Death Eater family would smear the Weasley's good name. Two aurors entered the room, interrupting Molly's pity party. "Well, it is about time. I want to press charges against Hermione Flint for attacking me."
The first auror stopped walking, his confusion clear on his face, "You want to press charges because she attacked you before you could attack her when she attempted to escape while you and your son were keeping her in your house against her will?"
"I did no such thing!" protested Molly indignantly.
"She entered the property known as the Burrow willingly?"
"I didn't see her enter," Molly sniffed.
The second auror took up the questioning, "So, you had no idea she was there?"
"Not until after she arrived. That was between her and my son. She jilted him," Molly told them primly. She tucked her hands in her blanket covered lap.
"Mrs. Flint stated you pulled your wand," the first stated flatly.
"She startled me. I did expect her to be there."
"She reported you ordered her to return to the attic, where her future husband had left her because she needed to answer to your son."
"I don't believe I worded it that way, but she and Ron do need to work out some issues."
"Would those be the obedience charms placed by Albus Dumbledore that were then maintained by you and your son?" asked the second.
Molly felt a chill of unease slide down her spine. "That among other things. Like I said, she ran off on him."
"Ronald Bilius Weasley left the hospital without being discharged. He is currently wanted in connection with the abduction and attack of Mrs. Flint. Do you know where he might go?"
"I, uh, no, not really. He's been somewhat estranged from the rest of his siblings as of late, except his sister. But he doesn't like her husband, so I doubt he went there. Maybe try his older brother, William at Shell Cottage."
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley, we'll be in touch." Molly rubbed her head. The pain seemed to increase. And now she felt nervous about more possible charges against her and Ron.
Hours later, most of the children and her husband gathered at her hospital bedside. Fleur opted to remain home with Victorie. A hospital was no place for a small child. "How are you, Mum?" asked Percy.
"I'm fine. They treated my concussion and gave me something for the pain. I should be released in the morning," she assured them, pleased they were showing concern.
"Will there be any charges against you?" asked George hesitantly.
"I don't see why there should be. I didn't do anything. Hermione attacked me."
"Because Ron kidnapped her. And you didn't liberate her instantly," countered Fred.
"She should have been a good girl and stayed with them in the first place. She should have done more to make Ron happy, behaved as an obedient wife would," Molly protested.
"As you've been?" asked Arthur bitterly. His wife looked stunned. "You helped force a kind vibrant young lady into shackles to sacrifice her childhood for Dumbledore's version of the greater good. So that adults wouldn't have to get up and do the hard work needed. Even worse you wanted to steal the rest of her life to make her a meek docile doormat for Ron to abuse. A good wife? What does that make you?"
"Ron would have treated her well."
"Bollocks! Ron would have mistreated her, cheated on her, and demoralized her. And this line about needing to punish her? You condoned laying his hands on her?" Arthur exploded.
"She needed an attitude adjustment. She acted all uppity, too big for her britches. Like she was high class."
"Mum, Hermione's birth parents were disgustingly rich. She dined with muggle nobility. Dinner with the Malfoys is slumming it for her," George told her.
Arthur stared at his wife of twenty-seven years. He felt like he didn't even know her. Maybe he had never really known her. "She wasn't subservient enough for you, so it would be appropriate for her to be smacked around? Should I start doing so with you?" His tone became cold.
"What?" she gasped. "No."
"So, it is okay if we beat the muggleborns, they aren't half bloods or purebloods?" Molly fumbled for the right words. Eventually, she simply hung her head. Arthur continued, "I feel like I don't even know you anymore. And I don't like what I'm learning," he shook his head sadly. "Every time I think this is the bottom of the pit: you, Ron, and Ginny reveal you dug deeper. I cannot let you destroy everything our sons have worked for. I am filing for divorce and disowning Ronald. I have to think of the other five. Ginny is also on her own. She's been as bad as you and Ron in irrationally blaming your victim for your problems." He sighed, unable to look at her. "I'm sorry it came to this, Molly-Wobbles."
Unable to keep the anguish from her voice, "Arthur."
"I love you, but you brought this on yourselves. And so help me if you blame this on that poor girl I WILL hit you." He stepped back, "Boys, feel free to visit with your mother. We can talk about this later." He walked out of the room without looking back. Outside, in the corridor, he leaned against the wall crying as his heart broke completely.
Back in the hospital room, Charlie attempted to console their mother. Unlike the others, living in Romania gave him some distance from recent events. "Sh, it'll work out, Mum."
"That's yet to be seen," quipped Bill. "Depending on how they spin this, Mum could be Ron's accomplice."
"I had no idea what he had planned," Molly cried.
"Did you release her as soon as you knew what he had done?" asked Percy.
"No, but," she started.
Percy cut her off, "That could be damaging. It may depend on Hermione, she could decline to press charges."
"Bloody unlikely," snorted Fred. "Nice, shy, polite Hermione sacrificed herself on the pyre of our war. The phoenix that rose in her place is a stone-cold bad arse."
She watched her sons exchange worried glances. "Oh, boys, don't worry about me. You need to think of yourselves," she gave them a placating smile, patting Charlie's hand. "I'll be just fine, you'll see." She lifted and dropped her shoulders in a sigh. 'Mostly because one of you will save me. She'll drop the charges if one of you begs. So it doesn't destroy any of you,' she thought. Charlie pulled back to look at her, questioning.
"I will be thinking of myself, and my family," Bill told her coldly. "Like Dad, I stood by letting you spoil Ron and Ginny into uselessness, well, maybe not useless to you. Their goal to get Harry's money would have benefited you. Fleur and I discussed it, we stand with Dad and will be separating from you formally."
"Us, too," Fred and George said in unison.
"You never supported our plans until the money was coming in hand over fist. We're not going down with you, or Ron. We've been on Hermione's side since there was a side to be on," George snapped.
"Since no one wanted to go looking her, I suppose," Fred said.
"Pretty much," agreed George.
Percy looked at Charlie sadly, "She's gotten me an amazing job, I'm marrying her sister-in-law. She introduced us." He looked at Molly, "I won't ask her to save you. I support her decision in the matter, regardless of what it is."
Charlie studied her face, then shook his head sadly. "I was on your side, or at least neutral until that last bit. You use that tone when you want Dad to do something, but don't want to make a fuss. You don't care what happens to us as long as it benefits you. You're on your own, at least where we're concerned." He stepped away from the bed.
"I'm sure Ginny and Ron will still help you," Bill said. "That is if they can. I am glad you're unharmed. I wish you the best. Good-bye."
Each of the Weasley boys present filed past the bed, leaving behind a sobbing Molly Weasley, the reality of her situation finally sinking in.
Ginny stared at the morning headlines. Every time she tried to blink it away she failed. On the front page, Ron attacked and kidnapped Hermione. He had been apprehended trespassing in an estate belonging to Harry Potter. She suspected Grimmauld Place. In the legal section, Arthur Weasley had begun divorce proceedings and disinherited his youngest son, Ronald Bilius Weasley. While she had been wrapped up in her own problems her mother and brother went off the deep end. She glanced across the table at Thorfinn. His facial expression remained neutral. "Did you know about any of this?" she asked him.
"Know about what, dearest?"
She fought to keep from rolling her eyes. He had taken to calling her pet names in a condescendingly sweet tone. "About Ron, love."
"Only that the aurors were looking for him, precious. I told them he detested me and our marriage. He would rather die than ask for my help or shelter here."
"That's the truth," she quipped.
"As to the other parts, no idea. Though two letters came for you this morning." He indicated the envelopes on the table between them.
"Why didn't you say something before?" she asked harshly. She grabbed her letters.
"Slipped my mind, I suppose," he shrugged. Ginny tore open the letter from her father first.
"Ginerva,
By now you have read in the paper that I have begun proceedings to remove your mother and brother from the Weasley family. As you have been a part of events that have led to this decision, I will not go into this. Your brothers have worked long and hard to build their careers. I will not allow any more scandal to drag their names down. That includes
your scandals. Should your marriage end in divorce you will either keep the Rowle name or take the Prewett name. Out of respect for the Rowles, I have kept that out of the papers. His family has been harmed enough by ours. I have added what I can to your Gringotts's account. Use it wisely, there will be no more. I love all of you, but I cannot condone your actions any longer.
Still your father,
Arthur Weasley."
She folded the letter, replacing it in the envelope, "As much as to be expected. Why he's divorcing Mum and about Ron." She picked up the second letter. Her mother's handwriting looked shaky.
"Ginny,
By now you know your father has begun divorce proceedings. He also intends to disown Ron. I am hoping once he has a chance to reflect he will change his mind. But for now, I will be moving forward as if these events will occur. To help both myself and Ron I must ask that you not publicly, or privately, speak ill of Hermione Flint. Your father refuses to see how her betrayal of the boys is what caused all of this. And trying to press this issue will further push your father away. Hestia mentioned some information that will help sway the public to our side. Don't let your husband know this. I doubt his neutrality. Your father is letting me stay at the Burrow for the time being. You are always welcome for as long as I call it home. All of my children are welcome.
Love,
Mum."
"Does your mother add anything?" Thorfinn asked in a bored voice.
"She's staying at the Burrow for the time being." Privately Ginny thought that a mistake on her father's part. Molly would strip that place of anything of value before the divorce went through. Because that's what she was doing. Well, something similar. Every week she moved some amount of money from Thorfinn's vault into hers. A small amount to keep him from noticing. She permitted herself a small smile. She would graciously agree to only take her vault if they divorced.
Thorfinn felt a little cheated. He'd hoped for more of a reaction from the news she would not be welcomed back after their divorce. He assumed the smile and the unconscious patting of her pocket where she kept her vault key were about her secret withdrawals from their vault. While he could easily reverse the withdrawal, he put most of his paycheck in his private vault. And it was a small price to pay if it helped her leave quietly. Then again he might be able to goad her into joining the Order in this last stand Hestia Jones mentioned. A stray spell could solve his problem for him. Wishful thinking on his part, he knew. He returned his attention to the paper.
Hermione allowed Marcus and Rodolphus to fuss over her for two days before she started hexing. "I'm fine. It was a small concussion. I just need to rest." Honestly, she was surprised she lasted that long. Though she could admit while she expected Ron to throw a tantrum, she never thought he would take her to a second location. Then again she never imagined seeing the huge fractures in the usually supportive Weasley family. Percy assured her Arthur was well supported and that if Molly reformed her ways her children would reconcile with her.
She and Varl were putting together the finishing touches on the menu for an informal family dinner. Sir Hiss sat coiled on the counter. Both familiars had become increasingly clingy since the attack. The rainbow snake admitted part of it was their ability to sense her pregnancy. Maisie entered the room, "Mistress, Mr. Auror Shaklebolt wants to talk with you."
"Thank you, Maisie, show him in." She smoothed her shirt down, making sure it disguised her tiny baby bump. "Offer him something to drink, please."
She joined Kingsley in the front room, "To what do I owe the honor of a home visit?" she joked.
"Robards is anxious to know if you want to press charges against Molly Weasley. Officially, I'm here to feel you out. Unofficially, I'm here to help you come to a decision. I get how complicated this can feel."
"Thank you for acknowledging it. On one hand, I want to throw the book at her and hope she rots in Azkaban, On the other, she's approaching 50, how long would she last with dementors guarding her? And then there's the Wizenmagot, they're not always the easiest to predict. Those lunatics might find her innocent and want to throw me to the wolves for attacking her."
"I doubt the last part," Kingsley assured her.
Hermione stood and paced around the room. "Then there are her sons. They may have told her she's on her own, but they love her, they would hate knowing where she was."
"Hermione, you need to decide what justice you want. Don't think about anymore else. What do you want?"
Deep down she wanted Molly Weasley to suffer. She wanted her to be abandoned, alone and miserable, unloved. How she helped make Hermione feel. "I want her to be aware of her suffering. I don't want even a chance that she's driven so insane she doesn't know exactly what is happening. When her children don't visit, I want her to know that it is her fault, not mine. I am tired of somehow being the source of all their problems." Kingsley struggled to keep from reacting to the heat in her eyes. "If Molly agrees to not press charges against me, I won't press them against her. The other two aurors told me she wanted to."
"I will let her know. You know Ron's charges are out of our hands, right?"
Her face hardened, "Ronald Weasley has made it clear I, and any children I have, are not safe as long as he is free or alive. Next time he comes at me I will kill him."
"Understood," Kingsley nodded.
Molly puttered around the Burrow, mentally cataloging what items she felt confident she could get away with selling before the divorce was final. At 49 she was too old to enter the workforce. The Burrow had been in Arthur's family for centuries. He would retain ownership. She needed a place to live and enough galleons to support herself. She couldn't count on her children, the elder ones had abandoned her, and the youngest two were useless. A knock at the door startled her. She opened it to admit Kingsley Shaklebolt. "Come in, Kings," she smiled, relieved to see a friendly face for once."
"Good afternoon, Molly. I have some good news."
Her heart leapt, "You're going to be able to help Ron after all?"
"No, too many witnesses. He threatened to murder innocent babies, Molly. Everyone heard him, reported it, and the barristers are going to bring it up. His charges come from the Wizenmagot. My news was for you. If you agree to not press charges, Mrs. Flint agrees to not press charges against you."
"But she attacked me. She has to pay for her crimes."
Kingsley shook his head, "While not entered into evidence, I've seen her memories, Molly. You knew she was there, you intended to keep her there. You were about to harm her. She was defending herself."
"She broke several priceless heirlooms," Molly pouted.
"We both know she was never going to agree to leave Marcus, marry Ron, and be the obedient housewife you both wanted. He would have killed her if he could. Or she would have killed him. She depleted her magical reserve getting away from him. All of this comes out and you go to Azkaban. I suggest you look out for yourself. Also, if you get charged with false imprisonment it changes Ron's actions from an impulsive attack to a conscious decision, because you colluded."
Molly hung her head, "Very well, I won't press charges."
"A wise decision, thank you, Molly." Kingsley showed himself out as she stared the wall across from her, a family photograph mocking her from happier times.