Chapter Eighteen: A Lesson in Resilience.

Disclaimer: I own none of the material written by J. K. Rowling, or her publishing company, or Warner Brothers.

WARNING: Shit is going to get seriously dark in this chapter. Hermione is going to be tested like she never has before.

OOOO

Hermione did not know what to think, let alone say, as she was levitated through Gryffindor Tower. Ginny-Heir marched surely downwards, and it was fortunate that all of the other students were at breakfast. Soon enough the portrait was flung open allowing Hermione's bound form to float forwards. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!" The Fat Lady began screaming, "RELEASE HER AT ONC-!"

"Avada Kedavra," Ginny suddenly hissed whilst spinning around, red hair flying like a crimson tornado. Green, powerful light burst into the air with a resounding BANG as the Fat Lady screamed in pure terror. She tried to duck away from the frame only to realize that it was much too late. The spell whizzed only inches below where Hermione was suspended midair prior to striking the picture. Green flames exploded outwards whilst engulfing the Fat Lady whole. After coming out of their shock the other portraits jumped into action only for Ginny to nonverbally cast a stunningly mighty spell. All of the painted figures were locked in place at the blink of an eye. Hermione knew from Art Club that it was possible to make moving paintings inanimate. One was difficult enough, yet to apply that particular spell across such a wide range?

Whatever Possessed Ginny was almost Herculean magic-wise. More than Hermione ever could hope to stand against at only thirteen-years-old. 'You can. Embrace your talent and remember your Godelot blood. I have met many talented Pyrites wizards in my time, and heard of plenty powerful Morrigans too. Your blood is bursting to the brim with talent. Remain calm and apply it.' Silky Voice's interruption reminded Hermione that she herself was being Possessed. Like Ginny it was by the anonymous Heir of Slytherin. However such a thing as double-Possession was possible she did not quite know.

'I was barely able to handle Ginny in January,' Her mouth had been gagged which meant that Hermione could only think in response. 'After what I just saw I think Ginny has gotten a lot more powerful since then.'

'They have grown more fully bonded since then,' Silky Voice rebutted, 'He is manifesting more deeply in her soul. Though you need to trust me. That display we just witnessed was the limit of his present powers. You can manage this.'

Horribly discombobulated by all of these events Hermione watched as Ginny moved through the empty passages. Pausing for a long time to write a new message on the wall. 'Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever while the mudblood will be bound in her rightful chains.' Then she was hoisted into Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Ginny stood in front of a sink, staring in the mirror with those spine-tingling eyes. "Open,' The First Year said in a raspy tone. What happened as a result was shocking. Loud thunks echoed, chains cranked, that particular sink fell down into the ground. Ginny Weasley wasted no time jumping down with her hostage sucked in right behind.

They moved across bones from all manner of animals. Every step of Ginny's feet produced loud cracks that caused Hermione's stomach to roll. Then there was the giant snake skin in a cave along with yet another door. "Open," Ginny snapped out again. Metallic snakes moved along within the joints of the door until finally it swung open with a heavy groan. As they swept down into the darkness Hermione finally realized something. She was a mudblood in the Chamber of Secrets. As if that were not terrifying enough, Ginny decided to light the torches. Pillars rose high up above with twining patterns entwined about them. At the very end of the Chamber stood a full body replica of Salazar Slytherin.

Hermione noted how cold the hidden portion of Hogwarts was. Sometime since it was constructed centuries earlier the Chamber of Secrets must have flooded. Struggling against her constraints the muggleborn tried to test their durability. Only to feel the magical bonds growing tenfold tighter in response. Directly in her line of sight Ginny began to chant while dancing in a bizarre manner around a small, black diary that had been placed on the ground. The same exact diary Harry had told her of only days earlier. Shocked at how everything was coming together Hermione observed as things went downhill. Ginny suddenly screamed in agony, both of her voices wailing despairingly.

Then she fell on her back to the ground as the diary of Tom Riddle flipped open of its own accord. First an incorporeal hand poked through, slapping down on the slimy ground. Ginny's body jerked up at the navel as she screamed wordlessly into the air in response. Then the arms, handsome head, and lean body of Tom Riddle stood to his impressive height above the youngest Weasley. By that time Ginny was no longer moving at all. "Hermione Granger," He crooned with a silky voice, "The Mudblood Apostle in the flesh. Much prettier than I anticipated…"

Her head throbbed violently with repulsion.

OOOO

Rumours travelled fast in Hogwarts. Very little time was needed at all for everyone to deduce who precisely had been taken by the Heir. When Draco Malfoy loudly boasted about Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley's imminent deaths in Chamber of Secrets, Harry and Ron did not take it lightly. Harry blasting Draco in the face with a recently mastered Stunner. Ron taking down Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson with nearly effortless ease. Then they both in turn were pounded into the floor by older Slytherins who had been nearby in the bustling halls. All of the Professors were too busy to discipline, so Harry and Ron were deducted fifty points each by Pomfrey.

Laying on his bed in the Hospital Wing, Harry wrung both of his hands furiously in an attempt to calm himself. Unable to take the confinement any longer he stood to both feet. Pomfrey had reversed his and Ron's ill-affects an hour earlier though was stingy as ever about letting any of them leave. Across the Hospital Wing Malfoy was still unconscious. Apparently it was better to let victims of Stunners sleep it off rather than be revived. At least, that was what Pomfrey claimed. Standing there, staring out the window at a rapidly disappearing sun, heart thumping wildly, Harry glanced at the bed next to his. Pulling aside the curtains curiously he found himself staring down at Daphne Greengrass.

A long moment passed as he stood like a stone in place. Sitting back down he sighed, "I don't know what to do. Maybe if I had been a better friend Hermione wouldn't have been alone. Maybe the Heir wouldn't have had a chance to take her." Ron listened silently to these words nearby. Harry knew that the redhead felt even worse than he did. Not only was Ginny taken, but Harry had at least asked for Hermione's forgiveness before she was snatched away to her death. In that moment of self-despair something caught his eye beneath the falling light. Clutched in Daphne's tightened palm was a crumpled ball of paper. "Ron," He called urgently, scrambling to unroll the torn page. "RON!"

Soon they both peered at the depiction of a Basilisk. A second page had been pressed into the first; One yellowed clipping from an old Daily Prophet article dated fifty years ago. "How is it getting around?" Ron asked frantically, "Ginny and Hermione can't fight a bloody Basilisk on their own!"

"Moaning Myrtle," Harry supplied, "This clipping says that Myrtle Warren was the girl who died here. I wondered about that, remember? Why would the Heir have bothered to attack a Ghost on her own? Even Nearly Headless Nick and that other Ghost were just collateral damage. Whoever the Heir is had a reason to shut Myrtle up right from the start."

"Where did she die?" Ron asked.

"It only says in a girl's lavatory." Harry answered, "So maybe Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom? That's what Dean called it back in November after she was attacked." Promptly they dropped the crumpled papers to the floor. Dashing outside into the castle. They were almost there when Professor Lockhart swung around a corner and they barrelled him over. "YOU HAVE TO COME WITH US PROFESSOR!" Harry shouted.

"COME ON!" Ron yelled with a red face, "THEY COULD BE DEAD ALREADY!" Both boys muscled their instructor along into Myrtle's Bathroom. "Think Harry! What do we know already? This has to be where the Chamber's entrance is. All of that flooding all year long, it always happened on this floor. Daphne wrote about the pipes being used by the Basilisk. That must have let water out."

"I think I know what to do," Harry responded nervously. Pausing, he spoke loudly into the air, "Open."

For the second time that day, the Chamber of Secrets creaked apart.

OOOO

Riddle bent to snatch up Ginny's wand. He stepped over her prone form, only stopping when stood in front of Hermione. "You intrigue me, mudblood. I never expected to find such a worthy adversary after making little Ginny open the Chamber." His eyes were a dark, gleaming brown. One with lesser sight might have mistaken the burgundy hues for red. Hair a shiny black, not like coal, but brilliant onyx. "Funny how that happens." He peered at her face, "How a single discovery can set many changes into motion."

Hermione refused to respond, or give him the satisfaction of a response that was. 'Good. Do not engage. I am trying to think of a way out of here. If you fail to meet his expectations our time will be vastly reduced. Not worth the risk to stall,' Silky Voice intoned in a shockingly calm voice.

"Despite your Squib father and muggle mother, the ancient blood in your veins is special. You are special. I have had Ginny Weasley watching you for months. Listening closely for any developments." A cold hand brushed up against Hermione's cheek. She shivered in silent disgust. "Most promising student Hogwarts has seen in many years. Heir to Godelot, Morrigan, and Pyrites. Celebrity and model. From what I hear you have even been inventing spells this year too. Hogwarts has only ever seen so much early ambition from Dumbledore or myself." Suddenly his face was only inches from her own. Eyes blazing ferociously at her'. "So much talent wasted on defending mudbloods."

"I am the Mudblood Apostle." Hermione snarled as though fire were slipping from her tongue. "My objective is to raise muggleborns, half-bloods, Squibs, and muggles to their fullest potential. So they can protect themselves from Purist cunts like you!" Her breath was becoming ragged with passion, "I advocate for self-reliance, unity, and societal change. Us mudbloods do not need to be defended." Lips curling she spat at him, the saliva going right through Tom Riddle's unreal form. "We only need to be unleashed."

'Fine. Ignore my advice,' Silky Voice snapped suddenly, 'Keep him talking. If we die it is on your foolish head.'

"My father was a filthy muggle. I was raised in an orphanage with muggles. Yet your demented savior complex still escapes me." He sneered, "Idealism is for muggles and Purebloods. This year, however, sweet Hermione, I have realized something important. Those of us with undeniable promise and revolutionary ideas, trapped in the middle between those two boring, competing ends of the spectrum. The world is ours to take." Perfectly white teeth had never before seemed so sinister. "What is more mighty than a clever mind? Both of us have clawed our way through the mud and scum. Why pit muggleborns against Purebloods when it could be so much… Grander. Upon encountering one so talented as yourself I have realized what my other self did wrong." Riddle's voice was now excited as he eagerly shared his thinkings with her. "He should have pulled from the center like Grindelwald did. The greater population of the Wizarding World. Those talented mudbloods, half-bloods, and neutral Purebloods." Lips red as blood twisted into a half-smile, "Then unleashed them unto the muggles and Purists alike. Rebuilt the world in his image."

A creaking came from behind her as the door presumably opened. Hoping beyond hope it was a teacher she tried to crane her head. Only for the bonds to tighten further. "Harry Potter and another Weasley. Welcome to the Chamber of Secrets." Riddle announced this with relish.

Heavy footfalls pounded closer until Hermione suddenly had a startling, bloodchilling realization. "STOP." Her breath came out in pants after because the restraints were cutting down so tightly. "He is Voldemort. Fifty years ago the Chamber was opened," She verbally deduced, "Tom Riddle is sixteen. I read somewhere that Voldemort was stopped in his fifties. He all but admitted it to me. Mother. Fucker. Shit. Bitch!" Her face must have been purple at that point. Riddle simply seemed pleased that she managed to figure it out.

Spells predictably shot forth from Ron and Harry only to fly right through Riddle's form. Fortunately one of the boys managed to pause momentarily in attacking their foe to undo the spells locking her in place. Falling to the floor she ignored a shocking pain in her ankle, instead trying to focus on freeing her wand. By the time Hermione whirled around Voldemort had subdued her ex-friends/rescuers/whatever they were now. Both disarmed, Ron's knees reversed, Harry glued to the damp floor by his stomach. Arms chained behind their backs. "Harry Potter. The Boy-Who-Lived. How did a pathetic baby stop me?" He ignored Hermione who knelt beside Ginny concernedly.

'You need to let me take control," Silky Voice interrupted her concerns, 'He won't expect me, and I am much older than he is. If I take him down Ginny Weasley will be saved.'

'Never,' Hermione thought back as Riddle and Harry continued to bitch loudly at one another, 'You will never take control of my body.'

Fortunately she saw an opportunity to save herself moments later. "Incendio." Flames engulfed the diary only for it to shine tauntingly in response. Riddle had now turned back to her. Many Shield Charms far greater than any Hermione had ever managed to produce before blocked his barrage of attacks. Ropes, chains, and Stunners all failed to strike Hermione. Finally Riddle ended the assault.

"You cannot destroy that diary," He sneered. "Nor can you hold out forever." A spell that produced an arrow destroyed her latest Shield while he swiftly captured her wand. "I tire of your defiance," She was levitated towards him by an invisible force. "You will be the first follower of my new vision. My lieutenant, pupil, and when you are a bit older, my clever, pretty girl, you will bear my children. They will bring the world to its knees for us. The uniting of Slytherin and Godelot blood will deliver us victory. No one will ever dare speak of your filthy blood again. Instead you will be my wife." Hermione gagged in repulsion at the thought of losing her autonomy in such a way. Becoming nothing more than a mere broodmare for this foul git's ambitions. "But first I believe that I did promise Hogwarts that you would be forever bound in your rightful chains."

An explosion of fire on her forearm left Hermione screaming, again, in agony. Harry and Ron both cried out to her only to be drowned out by her screaming. "Drab colours have grown rather tacky," Riddle smiled after she had been dropped to the ground before him. She ripped away her sleeve to find a most unwelcome sight. Branded brightly on her pale flesh was a large skull with a snake pouring from its mouth. "The Golden Mark. Our new order will be committed to prosperity by eradicating the Purists and muggles." His words rushed through her like a hurricane. Hermione had read briefly about the Dark Mark which Voldemort's followers were known to have worn. This tattoo was a brilliant gold, however, and it moved as though it were alive. "Now," He lifted her wand high up, "It is time for the Basilisk to feed on human flesh. After your friends here have been dealt with I think we shall go and eliminate your scummy parents."

He was halted by the haunting melody of a song reverberating throughout the Chamber of Secrets. Hermione peered upwards in surprise as a Phoenix soared into sight like an arc of flame. From high up in the air it dropped the Sorting Hat, of all things, down in front of her. Well-versed in Hogwarts' myths at this point, she immediately snatched the thing up. "A mangey hat and an old songbird. Is this what Dumbledore sends his great defender, Potter?" He laughed that chilling, high pitched giggle whilst turning around to march towards Ron and Harry. "Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts' f-AHH."

Riddle was cut off as she daringly pulled the Sword of Godric Gryffindor free into the air. Anger and months of hardcore exercise giving Hermione the strength to whirl the blade overhead. Her wand was chopped cleanly in half while the blade passed through Riddle's form. The aftermath was not quite so neat. A blast of consequent silver light threw her off both feet and backwards. 'I sometimes forget that you are as foolish as any Gryffin-.'

"Shut the fuck up, Silky Voice," Hermione hissed, "Fighting for my life here and all."

That could not have been truer, for Riddle turned towards her with an expression that red pure fury. "Death by Basilisk is too kind. Your friends will burn for that treachery." Pointing Ginny's wand upwards he snarled, "Mittere Ignis!" Hissing he released a stream of flames which soared up into the air. Birds, Dragons, Chimeras, and yes, even Basilisks, composed entirely of flame began to disseminate mightily about the stone Chamber. Hermione suspected fearfully that the powerful spell was Fiendfyre. She had only ever read very briefly about it while studying the Vilis Malificus' contents that year. Heart pounding wildly she watched as the ravenous Dark Magic dived down towards Ron and Harry.

The Phoenix intervened again, saving Hermione's bound friends by soaring in front of the Fiendfyre. Partaking in a sort of battle of wills with its dark counterpart. 'Use the blade as you would a wand. Watch yourself.' Fortunately the Silky Voice put her back on guard just in time. Clumsily she slashed the sword in the air managing produce her strongest Shield Charm yet. Riddle's Stunner bounced right back and through his Ghostly form. "Lucky," He sneered wryly, "Though we both know that ugly bird can only hold out for so long. Is your love for mudblood spawn like Potter and a blood traitor like Weasley strong enough?"

Hermione decided in a split moment that it most certainly was. "STUPEFY," The muggleborn slashed her new weapon down through the air. For the first time ever she launched the blast of red light into existence. Blinding her incorporeal opponent momentarily the girl then dashed forth towards her friends. 'How do I stop Fiendfyre?' She thought desperately.

'It requires mastery of elemental water. Even you are not capable of performing such a feat at your current age. I can however…' Silky Voice whispered coaxingly. Hermione rolled down beneath a sudden column of flame. Eyebrows burning off after passing so closely by such scorching heat. A Griffin roared down towards her and all she could do was behead it with the Sword of Gryffindor. Her friends were still so far away while Hermione was now trapped in a furnace of Dark Magic. Fighting a hopeless battle against Fiendfyre with a sword. All while young Voldemort shot curses at her through the gaps of roaring flame.

Her eyes rolled into her head prior to closing gradually. She was stuck in the back of her mind while Silky Voice took the reins. With undeniable skill he summoned water from the flooded floors of the Chamber. Nonverbally tamping down the Fiendfyre with elemental mastery that Hermione had only ever heard mention of in fables and history books. "IMPOSSIBLE!" Riddle screamed violently as his psychotic display of rage was finally subdued.

When the Phoenix swooped in to finish off whatever was left Hermione suddenly swayed backwards onto her bum. Silky Voice had flashed forwards in a burst of darkness from her chest. Two incorporeal phantoms now fought in a whirl of flashing colours. Bangs, pops, and cracks erupting into the air. "Destroy the diary, girl," Silky Voice, now an older, yet seemingly weaker, version of Riddle ordered between blows. "It anchors him too firmly to be defeated."

She scrambled upwards to both feet. Breathing in hot air that still carried traces of the incredible heat still being batted back by the Phoenix. The only weapon at her disposal was the Sword of Gryffindor, so Hermione Granger poised it overhead. Rushing towards the book, jumping over Ginny's body, and stabbing downwards forcefully. Ink seeped out of the cover. Again and again she stabbed it. Watching as the two Riddles separated. Brilliantly white light exploding outwards from the Heir's body. Silky Voice grew into a deep black cloud which absorbed the inevitable magical outburst.

Then in the blink of an eye he lay unconscious on the floor. Tom Riddle was alive again.

OOOO

"Shush, Gin," Ron cradled his sister, "You're safe now." The weakened girl simply sobbed into her brother's shoulder.

Hermione and Harry could not afford to sob even after their most recent victory over Lord Voldemort. "Are you sure you can bind him?" Harry asked with a voice full of uncertainty, "What if it falls apart? Who knows what he is capable of?"

She paused, momentarily considering precisely what her fallen foe was capable of. Then with a derisive look at Harry, for questioning her, the girl cast a Hovering Charm on Riddle. "Incarcerous," Her voice quavered slightly, yet he was then bound in tight ropes.

"When did you learn to conjure ropes, Hermione?" Harry asked suddenly.

"I learned… Lots of things this year, Harry," Hermione answered lamely. She could not even begin to imagine how she would start with that question. "Now let's just get out of here." Fawkes, Harry had told her whose Phoenix it was, settled down on Ron's shoulder. The redheaded boy was practically carrying his distraught sister at this point. Having twisted her ankle during the skirmish Hermione leant heavily against the Sword of Gryffindor now that the adrenaline was all gone. In that moment she noted that the blade was no longer pure silver, but glinting a bright, blood-red tinge instead. Uncertain of why such a change had occurred the muggleborn continued forth. Harry helping her hobble into the room that contained the Basilisk skin.

They all stood there breathing for a moment until Harry started suddenly. "Wait. Where did Lo-." A heavy stone swung into Hermione's peripheries as Gilderoy Lockhart knocked the living daylights out of Harry.

"But Harry Stunned you!" Ron had turned puce, pointing his broken wand at Lockhart. Ginny stumbled away to lean against the wall a ways off.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley," Lockhart jeered, "Sometimes Stunners wear off. Especially when casted by inexperienced Second Years." He was pointing Harry's wand at Ron. Completely ignoring Hermione. "Now, I am going to take your memories, as I was saying before. Only now I can add having subdued the Heir to my list…" He peered curiously over at where Riddle hovered in the air.

"You are a pathetic creep," Ginny hissed. "Hermione saved me. You'll never be half as daring or talented as her."

"Well, Miss Weasley." He smiled that pompous grin, "That is not necessarily true. Only you four, and the Heir, know the truth. I have a mean knack for Memory Charms, and the world will soon only know my truth." With a sharp movement Lockhart managed to disarm the broken wand from Ron's hand. "Obliviate," He intoned promptly after, a green blast of light bazing towards Ronald. The priorly cast Curse broke away as Ron Weasley fell limply to both knees. Looking very much like a lobotomy victim. Ginny's sobs reverberated through Hermione's ears. "Now for you Miss Granger." He nodded her way, "I never quite liked you. Especially after Spellbound put you on its cover instead of me this December."

Flipping his hair like the git he was Lockhart shot another Memory Charm, only this time at her.

Hermione did not know it, but her instinctive, unexplainable decision to use the spell Ginny had cast at the Fat Lady would haunt her for the rest of her life. "Avada Kedavra," She spoke perfectly, recalling the motions easily with her clever mind. In that moment all Hermione wanted was for Gilderoy Lockhart to burn in green flame just like the Fat Lady had. Her hatred was only fuelled by the traumatic experiences she had just suffered at the hands of Riddle. Instead of striking Lockhart, the unknown Curse collided with the Memory Charm. Then it promptly rebounded.

Directly towards Ron.

An explosion of green flame roared into existence after the two spells struck one another. Then that ball of emerald heat crashed directly into where Ron knelt in his catatonic state. Fawkes still knelt on her friend's shoulder, and promptly burst into an explosion of golden fire. Burning flesh filled the air as all present watched Ron melt into ash. When a long pause ensued Ginny suddenly screamed in a voice full of devastation. It caused tears to roll down Hermione's cheeks profusely as she turned back to face Lockhart. He smiled wickedly, "My book will end with the tale of how Hermione Granger snapped. Murdering her best friend with advanced, Dark Magic. I will replace you as the hero of the Wizarding World. The man who vanquishe-."

"Obliviate," Hermione hurled a brilliant ball of green at Lockhart as he prattled on. The spell was so violent that he found himself smashed back against the door that led to the chamber. Green shocks still shooting across his body as he jerked in an evident seizure. "Ginny," Hermione began to sob, "I didn't know-."

"I find that hard to believe!" Ginny's grief had turned to uncontrollable rage. "All year I watched you fiddling with the Villis Malificus. Looking up Dark Magic in the library. You had to have known what that spell would do. Ron is DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!" The little First Year had gone completely off the wall. "I will tell everyone everything! How that spirit came out of your body. About the Dark Magic..." Ginny's eyes were wild now as her rant broke down into sobs. The redhead slumped against the wall with a smack. Sinking to her bottom as more screams strangled half-way out of her throat.

Hermione fell to her knees. Feeling so distraught she could hardly breathe. Stomach heaving, chest contracting, eyes wide with a constant flood of tears. Apparently panic attacks weakened the magic of their victims, for Tom Riddle dropped to the ground as she was rocked to her core. He did something to Ginny then placed her into an enchanted sleep. Harry as well, followed by examining Lockhart and leaving him behind with a solid kick. Then the older boy, still the same age as before, placed a gentle hand on her chin. "You need to breathe, Hermione," He stared into her eyes deeply. She realized foggily that this young man had lived in her mind for a whole year. Tom Riddle now knew her better than anyone else. Warily she allowed him to pull her upwards.

"Hold on to this," He pressed a large scarlet feather into her hand. "I need to Obliviate you and then perform a Memory Altering Charm. This feather can be used as a trigger if you pour your memories into it. If you want I can give it to you after you have survived Dumbledore's questions…"

"I don't want to forget," Hermione intoned listlessly, eyes now peering at Ron's charred corpse.

"Good. I'll be in touch soon then." Riddle spoke in a tender tone. So different from his other, more recent self. Just like that, Hermione realized, her Silky Voice had managed to steal the form of her mortal enemy.

"W-We c-c-ca-can't!" She suddenly protested. "G-Ginny a-and Har-Harry d-d-deserve to kn-ow the truth." Her voice broke in that moment from all the grief. "I killed Ron," Her lips mouthed though no sound poured free.

Riddle ignored the younger girl then. "Think of all that has happened," She was subconsciously squeezing tightly onto the feather. Ginny's wand flicked in the air, misty-white threads began to wind around Hermione's clasped fists. "Obliviate," The young version of Lord Voldemort spoke softly, almost crooningly. Lulling Hermione into the deep green that dulled the tragedy like nothing else could.

OOOO

Yes, Ron died, but he had to. I always thought that the series would have been better if more important characters died. Hence, no one is safe. Just look at A Song of Ice and Fire. It makes, in my humble opinion, for a stronger story. Also, I have the firm notion that Ron was a slacker. For Harry to grow and be his best self he needs this tragedy. He needs to learn what it means to be a wizard separate of Ron. I plan on exploring a Harry who is forced to live up to the legacy of his talented parents. That should have been a conflict throughout the books.

P.S. The Weasleys will still be big parts of the story. Don't worry.