Merry Christmas, my freaky darlings! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and if you are in cold places stay warm. It is 5F, -15C here today. It is usually in the 30sF. My fuzzy socks need fuzzy socks. But we have electricity and water, so WINNING!
Chapter 60 Not With a Bang, But With a Whisper.
Bellatrix entered the room to find her youngest sister fussing over her daughter, "You're not nearly as fat as I thought you'd be by now."
"Thanks so much, Mummy Dearest."
"She's five months pregnant, Bellatrix, that's nothing. And even at nine months won't be fat."
Bellatrix waved her off, "Sure, sure. How are you feeling? That's what I am supposed to ask, right?"
"Yes, and pretty good, actually. No morning sickness, and enough energy to do what I want. And we can both feel the baby kick now, especially in response to Marcus's voice."
"Does he speak often?" asked Bellatrix a little confused.
"He talks to the baby every night."
Narcissa raised an eyebrow, "Marcus? Man's man Marcus Flint talks to his unborn child every night?"
Hermione smiled fondly and rubbed her abdomen, "He does."
"Interesting," was all her mother said.
Draco knocked politely on the door, "Mother? Father asked me to let you know everyone has arrived."
"Thank you, dear," Narcissa stood, "Let us join them, ladies."
Rodolphus instantly stood and crossed to Hermione when she entered, "Hello, darling, feeling alright?"
"I am," she embraced him. "No symptoms, no problems."
Lucius also hugged her. She used it to take look around the room. Some faces she knew, others she did not. Voldemort addressed the group, "My faithful followers, we have received some concerning news. We chose to disguise this meeting as a friendly dinner. You will all be brought up to speed while eating." He looked over at Narcissa.
"Which is served. After you, my lord." She gestured to the door. He smiled and led the others to the chosen dining room. Once seated and the first course was served, Voldemort looked at Hermione, "Most of this was your discovery and hard work, my dear, would you care to explain?"
She nodded, "Certainly. During the last two years, I have come into contact with many previous acquaintances. These people have been granted the opportunity to open dialogue for lasting peace. Some have accepted. They have been given protection so long as they maintain their neutrality. They have taken to calling themselves the Neutrals. A reliable source within their ranks notified me the Order of the Phoenix is moving forward with one of Albus Dumbledore's plans. The one I think they find the most acceptable, based on everything said, is to attack the ministry."
"Why would they attempt such insanity?" demanded Yaxley.
"They believe, because Dumbledore believed, that if most people saw someone fighting the Dark Lord's ranks they would rise up and join them. I disagree with their assessment. Maybe once upon a time, but now the terror is over. The war is over, they just refuse to accept it."
A dark haired witch eyed her, "You know about this plan that generalities, don't you?"
Hermione nodded once, "I do. They would slip in during a high attendance event and launch a surprise attack," she paused. "I think they might use Ronald Prewett's next hearing. It's perfect for their thinking. His family will be present, all the Order members have a reason to be there. It is the perfect cover, and all the important Death Eaters will be there in official capacities, or as witnesses." She looked at Voldemort, "You really should rethink that name."
"The Knights of Walprus?" he suggested.
"Sounds less sinister," she commented.
"Should we increase security?" asked someone further down the table.
"Or cancel the public hearing?" questioned another.
"Why?" asked Bellatrix, "are you afraid of the remnants of Dumbledore's pathetic little order?"
"They have some powerful members," protested the first man.
Rodolphus chuckled, "They HAD powerful fighters. Some of them also have brains and realized the good thing Hermione offered them."
"We will change nothing. If this is their grand plan, let them come," declared Voldemort. "Let them fail. Let us be done with this and rid of them." He looked at Lucius. "Let us give them what they want, have everyone available there."
"As you wish, my lord," the blonde nodded. The conversation for the rest of the meal turned to the social maneuvers of the others in their circle.
To avoid preparing her victim statement. Hermione reviewed her papers on Circe. The Greek home was clearly where she lived initially. Perhaps the students would be interested in the grotto. Then inspiration hit, and she thought of how many of the spells they found were refined by ancient wizards living in rudimentary dwellings. How at the time Circe lived magic and human ingenuity worked together during that time. She scribbled down her ideas before sending them to Severus.
Maisie announced Luna's arrival just as she finished, "Good timing, I was just finishing my distraction to avoid writing about Ron."
"Funny, that's exactly why I came to see you. I don't want to think about Ron right now, either."
"At least Molly hasn't barged into your home and demanded you defend his honor," Hermione gave a mirthless chuckle.
"Small mercies," the blonde shuddered. "I'm not sure I could keep my temper if that occurred. Then again, if she went to the Rookery, we're not there. Daddy is overseas, and Graham won't let me go near there so long as Molly or Ron live there."
"Arthur got it in the divorce, Molly's at Prewett Estate with Muriel according to the twins."
"That's good. We might move back then. Graham's family is lovely, but it is rather crowded there. And we're going to need more space sooner rather than later," she finished slyly.
"Lu, are you trying to tell me something?" Hermione teased.
"Your little one will have a friend in their year at school. I'm due in March."
"How exciting! Congratulations." Hermione hugged her.
A bright doe patronus burst into the room, "Hermione, that is simply the most brilliant idea, truly an inspired topic. Let me know when you are available."
"What is Severus talking about?" Luna asked. Hermione summed up his request and her response. "That will complement the new ideas coming out of the ministry."
"That thought did cross my mind," remarked Hermione.
Later that night she sat and wrote the first draft. All the rage and embarrassment ran through her again. She knew it would take numerous attempts to convey everything Ron did her over the years. Luna admitted the same. She felt they both needed to show being a bully wasn't new. It was ingrained in his personality to be unkind, especially to girls. Hermione made a note about how he isolated and alienated herself from their peers in 3rd year and Harry in their 4th. She started at the paper sadly.
Marcus stepped behind her chair and began massaging her shoulders, "Come to bed, little dove. Some space will clear your head."
She kissed his hand, "You're right." She let him help her to stand and lead her to bed.
"Good night, little dove, and good night, baby bird," he whispered.
"Baby bird?" she asked giggling.
"I call you a bird, so your baby is a bird," he shrugged.
"Monster," she corrected. "You're a brute, your baby is a monster. My little monster."
"What loving parents we are," he laughed.
"We are, she protested, "silly nicknames are part of the package."
"If you say so."
"I do. And we love, you, too."
Bright and early the morning of Ron's character hearing Hermione entered the ministry flanked by her husband and her uncle. Rodolphus instructed her to take cover if fighting broke out. Bellatrix slipped her a shield pendant and told her to give them hell. Anticipating action she dressed simply in a stylish sundress. She exchanged terse smiles with the people she knew. Tension vibrated through the ministry. She noticed Bill looking sick, standing next to a solemn looking Percy. Harry saw her and changed directions to intercept her. She nodded hello to Britta, who kept hold of Harry's hand. The small group entered the courtroom together. A ministry employee directed them to their seats. Luna gave her a small smile as they passed. Graham's eyes kept darting around the room, alert for danger in the packed room. Luna patted his thigh every so often.
Ron fidgeted as his barrister frowned at him. He knew his outburst had made the man's job more difficult. "The people against you will say unflattering things about you. You must not react. I don't care if they call you the second coming of the muggle Satan, you will stay silent. Charm yourself if you have to."
"I understand," Ron assured him. His mother had slipped him a potent calming draught that morning. She promised him justice would prevail. He just needed to trust her. The bailiff escorted them to the defense table. He knew the potion had worked when the sight of Luna, Hermione, and Harry sitting together failed to cause a reaction in him. He smiled when he caught sight of Lavender. She gave him a bright smile and blew him a kiss. At least someone still loved him. The moment he sat another enchantment took hold of him, he was unable to move without considerable effort. Another of his mother's precautions.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the matter before us today is what sentence to place on Ronald Bilius Prewett. Two weeks ago agents of this court were tasked to collect character statements about the defendant. These will be delivered today in this court. To avoid bias forming we will switch between the defense and the prosecution. Defense, you're up first."
Molly took the stand first. She smiled politely at the judge, "Ronald is my sixth son and sixth child. Growing up he was well-mannered and polite. He attended school at Hogwarts and may have had some adventures with his friends, but that's to be expected. He is a loyal, loving person. He is my heart and I cannot think of the future without him being in it." She wiped her eyes as if wiping away a tear. Luna rolled her eyes.
Next to the stand was Luna. She sat demurely, staring at the barristers with large, clear, blue eyes. "I have lived through a meadow and small forested area from Ronald Prewett my entire life. During that time he bullied me. He has called me cruel names. Laughed at me. Made jokes at my expense. He has never demonstrated loyalty, kindness, or friendship to me. When I made my own life choices he raged at me and threatened my life because he did not approve of them. He attacks those he calls friends without a thought. I would not feel safe or able to live my life with any sense of freedom if he is allowed to remain within our society. My father and I fled our ancestral home and have not returned since the attack. I find it unfair that law-abiding citizens must live in fear of the attacks of one person. Thank you."
Lavender took the stands next. "Ron and I have dated on and off since our 6th year of school. He is a caring and thoughtful boyfriend, who treats me well. He has never shone me a bit of temper or displeasure, even when I know he is annoyed about something. He is respectful and kind. I cannot imagine my life without Ron by my side. He is the love of my life." She dimpled at everyone as she stepped down. She sniffed and raised her nose at the sight of Hermione.
Harry took the stand next, "Ron was my first friend. He introduced me to the wizarding world. I took for granted that a friend would never do something to knowingly hurt or manipulate another friend. I was wrong. Ron is a great friend when everything goes according to his plan or expectations. When it doesn't he can be a pouting, petulant child. He never liked it when Hermione and I shared something he did not, like knowledge of the muggle world, not that he wanted to explore it. He likes being the center of attention, even when nothing going on is about him. He is quick to lose his temper and is jealous of everyone. He is almost completely incapable of thinking before acting if emotions are in play. In school, he disliked it when people showed they were smarter, or more talented than he was. He would throw a tantrum and force everyone to choose sides in arguments. He has difficulty admitting when he is wrong, and even more, trouble apologizing. He holds grudges forever. Once you have wronged him in his mind there is no chance of going back, unless he needs you for something."
The judge called a brief recess after Harry. Hermione remained in her seat. She had no desire to mingle with anyone. Nervous butterflies zoomed about her stomach. She wanted this day over. At least Ron wasn't sitting there smug, expecting someone to swoop in and save him at the last minute. Marcus brought her a small glass of water. He rubbed small circles on her back. She pondered who could be next for the defense. She suspected she would be last for the prosecution.
After the brief recess, Bill Weasley took the stand, "Good afternoon, my brothers and I decided we wished to release one joint statement. Ron can be the best brother when he isn't thinking only of himself. He can be an amazing friend when he isn't working an angle for his benefit. We are unsure of exactly why he began acting this way, but once upon a time, he was the greatest guy. Thank you." Molly stared in horror as her eldest son retook his seat. She didn't expect them to only sing his praises, but she needed them to each take a turn. She sighed. She was hoping they could do this without resorting to violence, but she refused to let that vile little cunt send her darling baby boy to prison.
Hermione slowly took the stand. She looked over the crowd, noting where each current Order member sat. She noted Ginny's absence. She doubted it was anything more than self-preservation. Thorfinn's petition would be heard at the end of the month. She would want to keep his name if possible. To do that she needed to stay in his good graces. Taking a deep breath, she began to read her statement. "Due to my upbringing and background, I have never made friends easily. And when I did I held on tightly. Various people took advantage of this trait. The night I became friends with Ron and Harry, I had missed the Halloween feast and been trapped in a bathroom with a troll because Ron made fun of me and in my homesickness, I hid to cry. That became our pattern. Ron treated me with contempt and cruelty, and I cried. Any outing his family included me in was to get money, as I always paid my own way, usually an amount that was inflated to line their pockets. My adoptive parents happily paid any amount to help immerse me in my true world. Ron would mock my studious nature until he wanted someone to do his homework for him.
"In 3rd year he believed my familiar, Crookshanks, had killed his rat, and illegal familiar I would like to mention. One that turned out to be a criminal animagnus in disguise, but I digress. In retaliation, Ron isolated me from our peers and made people choose sides. When Crooks was innocent he did not apologize once. Though just days before he forced me to grovel for forgiveness for my familiar's behavior and murderous intent. Over a pet, he loathed and complained of often.
"In 4th year he did something similar to Harry when he thought Harry had entered the tournament himself and did not share how to do it with Ron. He allowed his possessive nature and jealousy to ruin the Yule Ball for me by attempting to shame me for accepting an invitation to the dance and making an effort with my appearance. Something that was very hard for me given his years of comments eroding my self-esteem and the charms his hero, Albus Dumbledore enslaved me with.
"He rubbed his relationship with Lavender Brown in my face 6th year to upset me and put me in my place. To remind me HE could do better, he was settling for me and I should be grateful. Then he asked me to keep our relationship a secret. In part because he was feeding love potions to Harry and wouldn't have wanted him to know before he had his cover story ready. I believe that he has been giving Harry those potions in our 5th year before he began dating Lavender Brown. I know that he was seeing Lavender at the same time he was telling me we would be together forever, marrying someday.
"An entitled brat, he cannot tolerate things not going his way. He has attacked several women because reality did not match his fantasy. He attacked Luna Graham at her father's home when she became engaged, forcing her and her father to relocate. They still have not been able to return home. He attacked me and my godsons in the middle of a crowded street, threatening to drown the boys because he believed them to be my sons.
"He is deluded and a danger to society. I don't care if he goes to prison or a mental facility where he can get the help he so desperately needs, I just want him locked away from me. I want to be able to shop where I want, walk down the street if I like, and not have to worry that he will see me, that I need to be ready to defend myself and others because of what he might do. Thank you." Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Ron. His expression never changed once. Molly must have drugged him to keep from reacting to their negative comments. And the woman called her a villain.
The judge looked over the parchment in front of him, detailing the recent crimes committed by the defendant. In his mind, no one in his defense spoke as passionately as the ones wronged by this man. They detailed decades of behavior that had them hiding in fear where he wouldn't find them. He took a deep breath and raised his head. "Would the defendant rise?" Ron and his barrister stood. "Ronald Bilius Prewett, you have been convicted of the charges brought before us. Character witnesses have given their testimony. I agree with the sentiments of Mrs. Montague and Mrs. Flint, they will not feel safe so long as you allowed to continue as you have, but prison will not give you the help you need. I sentence you to twenty years of imprisonment, first in a mental facility to get the help you require, the rest in a lower facility than Azkaban. No sense in healing the crazy and then making it worse. At the end of this sentence, we will reconvene to review Mr. Prewwtt's progress."
Molly leapt to her feet, "No! We demand justice!" The other members of the Order of Phoenix climbed to their feet, ten wizards and witches in total. "Fight for your freedoms." She shot a bright yellow light at Hermione.
Bedlam broke out in the courtroom. Bellatrix's pendant deflected the spell and Hermione flicked her wand and absorbed the energy, lest it ricochet into the unprepared crowd. Bellatrix quickly squared off with the shorter woman, "Not my daughter, you bitch." She bombarded Molly with rapid spells, putting her on the defensive quickly. The two began to duel. Civilians fled the courtroom, while Death Eaters rushed to engage the Order of the Phoenix.
Ron sat in horror, unable to react thanks to the calming draught and everything else Molly had done to him. Helplessly, he watched Bill, Percy, George, and Fred herd people from the courtroom as Hermione covered their retreat. Tonks jumped in to begin defending the ministry employees from Diggle and Jones. Remus swept his mother-in-law to safety. Ron could barely turn his head to follow his mother's dueling. He managed to catch her collapse to the floor, Bellatrix cackling above her crumpled body. Fire raced along his nerves distracting him. He tried to move anything, but his body refused to react. Rough hands caught his crumpled body before he slid to the floor. Graham Montague stared down at him, Marcus Flint held him by the shoulders. "That was for hurting Luna. The next one is for Hermione." He cast the spell silently. The fire raced through Ron again. "And this last bit is a present from Hermione. If you ever think about either woman you will hurt if you try to harm them your brain will burn itself out leaving you a vegetable. I hope it takes you decades to learn the lesson personally."
"And I think decades is too short. I hope it takes centuries. Enjoy your prison." Marcus released him, shoving him back into the chair. Unable to move or react, Ron continued to sit and watch the last stand of the Order of Phoenix end disastrously. Aurors carried him from the room, his eyes still fixed on Molly's lifeless form.
Hermione kicked Molly's body over. "Is she dead?" asked Luna.
"No, just unconscious. After I explained my plans for her Mummy Dearest agreed not to kill her outright. If it happened, it happened. She'll probably wake up in an Azkaban cell. The others can fill her in on their failure if they like. I just wanted Ron's last image of her being on the floor, presumed dead. The aurors have been told to refuse him any information regarding the fate of anyone with the Order. But they can tell him all about his former family members, and Ginny." She grinned evilly. "I hope it drives him further insane." Luna looked at her confused, "He had to sit there, unable to move, and watch as Mummy Dearest took out his mummy. He couldn't save her. The only person who visited him in jail. The last person who loved him, and he had to watch her die trying to save his worthless arse, unable to stop it. Only, she isn't dead. She gets to rot in prison after her attempted coup failed. And she'll know she's the reason her baby boy is all alone during his captivity. And every other milestone her family passes without her."
"Fair. Couldn't have happened to better people." Luna wrapped her arm around her friend as they watched the cleanup.